Some complained about the lavishness of city projects like the library; others wanted to know more about how their money was being spent. One man even said that the paper used to print the flier was too expensive.

But most of all, everyone at the June 7 meeting seemed concerned that they might soon be paying a new tax amounting to 5 percent of their utility bills.

Evan Baker, the chairman of the revenue review committee and former councilman, said, "I am not a tax-and-spend guy, but I am going to ask the citizens to impose a tax on themselves so that we as citizens of Saratoga do not let our own city become rundown at the heels."

"We don't have the money to spend on our infrastructure," said Baker. "If you keep deferring regular maintenance, sooner or later you will have to spend more money on maintenance. A good many buildings in the city are nearing the 40- to 50-year mark."

The city has an $18 million deferred maintenance bill, according to the committee. And of the $70 million paid in property taxes by Saratoga residents, only 4.4 percent comes back to the city.

Baker also mentioned that only 1 percent of the city is zoned commercially and that Saratoga had one of the smallest budgets of cities in Santa Clara County.

"Each of you have a vital interest in your own home and are concerned with protecting the value of your home," said Baker. "The last thing we want is that our homes are fine and everything else is a disaster."

He said that he wanted to let Saratoga remain the kind of city it is so that it remained a wonderful place to live—that everyone at the meeting agreed to. But there was not much else that anyone agreed on, least of all a new utility tax.

"I would prefer to see where the money was going," said Fernando Gonzalez, a general contractor who lives in Saratoga. "I will support the initiative only if there is a guarantee that the money raised will be for deferred maintenance."

"You are asking me for my money, you better tell me where my money is going," Gonzalez added.

Richard Angus, who has lived in Saratoga since 1966, said that a property parcel tax would be beneficial to older people who had lived in the city for a long time.

"We cannot be a bedroom community and also have the luxuries of a proper city," said Angus.

Gay Grant, a teacher who has lived in Saratoga for 25 years, said, "It is a definite need. Everything is in disrepair. All the streets are cracked. We have put off maintenance for so long. I would vote either for a parcel tax or a utility tax."

Grant thought that the city budget was very reasonable.

"I found it interesting that many at the meeting were complaining about the budget but they have never been to a budget meeting," she said. "Our house is 40 years old. Upkeep is one of the expenses. We are constantly replacing stuff. The same rules would apply to the city."

"I do care about our property value," she said.

Baker indicated that the committee would discuss the input received at the June 7 meeting, adding that, "We still have other options, like a property parcel tax. We are not close-minded."

"We need to exercise good judgment before we go to the city council," said Baker.

Baker said the committee would have to present its recommendation to the city council by the middle of July.