Saratoga City Council approves budget, housing element zoning changes

Housing development plan still needs final approval.

The Saratoga City Council gave its final stamp of approval on the city’s budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year at a June 19 meeting.

The council voted unanimously to approve the $30.6 million budget. While the budget for the upcoming fiscal year is balanced, Saratoga faces a forecasted structural deficit in the next three years. The forecast anticipates that in fiscal years 2024-25 through 2026-27, total expenditures will increase by 4.9% while revenues will only increase by 3.6%.

The council also voted unanimously to approve a series of amendments to the city’s zoning code, which came after the council submitted its final draft of the housing element to state officials in March.

The state Department of Housing and Community Development said in May that the housing element, which outlines all housing to be built in the city through 2031, met all statutory requirements of state law. But state officials wanted clarification that the city would allow for the “non-discretionary review” for housing developments that have 20% affordable units, and as such withheld their final approval on the document.

After city staff drafted amendments to address state officials’ feedback, state officials responded on May 31 saying the draft language would comply with their request for clarification, and then the planning commission held a special meeting on June 12 and voted to recommend that the council approve the items as well.

The item is on track to return to the council on July 3 for its final approval.