The most critical issue facing Saratoga County is assuring that the county remains focused upon addressing the needs of its citizens.
Areas of focus should include: managing growth and development,
workforce shortages, transportation and infrastructure, farmland/open-space, social services and, fiscal pressures from unfunded mandates.
Managing growth and development.
Many residents want Ballston to retain agricultural land, open space, rural scenery, historic neighborhoods, and lower traffic volumes.
1. Planning For Growth
A 17% growth rate makes infrastructure an urgent necessity. Without proactive leadership, expansion causes gridlock and strained utilities. We must upgrade water, sewer, and roads so safety keeps pace with tomorrow’s boom.
2. County Workforce
Our services only run as well as the people behind them. High turnover costs taxpayers more in the long run. We must retain our dedicated county employees with fair, competitive compensation.
3. Open Space & Farmland
Once developed, green spaces and agricultural lands are gone forever. We must protect our agricultural heritage and support local farmers, ensuring their lands stay viable under rising development pressure.
As a Farms First community, Ballston must balance residential growth on our southeast side by executing our award-winning Purchase of Development Rights program. Protecting our agricultural heritage means supporting local farmers, ensuring their lands stay viable, and promoting the incredible products our residents produce.
The PDR program is a voluntary program that invites landowners to permanently protect their land from development. By working with Saratoga PLAN and the Town, residents are paid for placing a conservation easement on a portion of their land.
The Town raises funding for this program through its limited allowance of solar development. It also offers density bonuses in the portion of Town where sewer and water services already exist. Here is a link you can copy and paste that further explains how a PDR program works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNpFGR6QR0Y
