Representatives of the Saratoga seniors, the Chamber and KSAR made impassioned pleas to the Saratoga City Council to continue with their funding at a special study session organized by the city on March 8 to look at various budget options and cuts for the next fiscal year.

This was the second study session organized by the city council in lieu of the council retreat that was cancelled earlier this year.

At the meeting, the Chamber and KSAR representatives said that they would have no option but to close their doors if the city stopped their funding abruptly.

By the end of the session, the council seemed to be in general agreement on the programs to be cut. Mayor Kathleen King said that she was in favor of continuing funding to agencies like the Chamber and KSAR.

The most major cuts talked about by the council so far include school crossing guards, a traffic officer and a school resource officer.

Funding for median strips, grounds and park maintenance, and environmental programs might also be reduced.

In addition, King said that the city might have to look at one or two staff reductions for the next fiscal year. The mayor added that she was not in favor of making any cuts to the youth programs. "There is no one to speak for youth. Teenagers do not vote," said King.

She said that she was in favor of cutting some amount of expenditure on capital equipment and facility maintenance so that other city programs could be funded.

KSAR Director Chris Wasmund asked the council if it would be possible for the city to phase out funding for the channel instead of stopping the flow of funds suddenly. "We will be devastated by a sudden stop. We need some time to get our feet back on the ground," she said.

Nomita Shahani, president of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, said that the Chamber showcases the city to visitors. "If the funding goes down, we will have to cut hours. We will not be able to print maps and city directories," she said.

Shahani said that a cut might force the Chamber to move to another location. "If we move, we might not get any foot traffic anymore," she said.

"We have also been doing the economic development coordinator's job after the person hired by the city left city employment," Shahani added.

Sheila Arthur, executive president of the Chamber, said that the businesses in Saratoga were not in great shape and they needed all the help they could get.

Genie Dee, executive director of SASCC, said that the senior organization in the city was trying to make the move to being a self-funded organization. The city gives SASCC about $18,000 a year.

"It is a small amount for the city. But it is a big amount for us," she said.

The budget options will come up for discussion again at three public hearings in April.