Information & Town News

The Town of Clifton Park has approved a final 2026 budget.  The budget includes significant investments in our infrastructure, parks and nature preserves, programs, services and many other important elements.  Town budgets are structured utilizing separate funds and special districts in New York State.  The General Fund is the budget for general town operations, and the Highway Fund is the budget for the Highway Department.  The 2026  Budget remains within the New York State Tax Cap restrictions. 

The Budget for the General Fund is $24,786,423 and total spending for the Highway Fund is $7,623,470. The budget maintains no tax for the General Fund.   The Highway Fund tax will increase from .327883 per thousand of assessed value to .33441 per thousand of assessed value resulting in a total tax of $36.12 for a home with a full market value of $300,000.  The EMS tax will increase from .329383 per thousand of assessed value to .337073 per thousand of assessed value equating to a total tax of $36.40 for a home with a full market value of $300,000.   

The Budget includes a 3.5% COLA for all Town employees.  We are also balancing significant increases in healthcare costs and the mandatory annual contribution all government organizations are required to allocate for the New York State Retirement Fund.   Per the NYS Comptroller’s statistics, Clifton Park ranks 911 of 931 Towns in the state in municipal property taxes.  In addition, Saratoga County has the lowest property taxes and sales tax rate in NYS. 

The Town Board has allocated $3.45 million for paving and construction activities associated with road improvements for 2025. A portion or all funds not spent by the Highway Department for paving in 2025 will be considered for allocation in the 2026 budget, adding to the $1,650,000 included in the 2026 Budget for paving. Currently, invoices totaling $1.921 million of the $3.45 million of allocated funds have been submitted.   

The Town of Clifton Park has a multitude of programs for people of all ages.  The programs and services we enjoyed this summer at our camps, pools and recreational facilities will continue to be offered in 2026.  The 1500 members of the Clifton Park Senior Community Center as well as the people who use the Senior Transportation program will experience full support for these programs and activities in 2026.   

Some of the improvements approved as part of the 2026 budget include:

1. Dog Park Improvements
2. Country Knolls Pool/Playground property: Burning Bush Boulevard-Roof replacement, Indoor Carpet replacement, Pave parking lot
3.  Barney Road Pool Building: Roof Replacement
4. Whipple Bridge at the Vischer Ferry Preserve: Pave walkway
5. Celebration Events: funding for upcoming events celebrating our history
6. Basketball Courts on The Common: Resurface Basketball Courts
7. Pickleball Courts at Veterans Park: Additional fencing
8. Garnsey Park Improvements
9. Heritage Square Planning: plan for future of 3 properties owned by the Town including The Grange and Grooms Tavern
10. Senior Transportation upgrades
11. Public Building Security Upgrades

The Town Board continues to invest in our busy parks and recreational resources and facilities that, in some cases, offer multiple services to our community.  The Town Board also approved a plan for significant redevelopment of the Martin Jewett Park off Longkill Road earlier this year.  The project was formed through an extensive planning process, working with Longkill Park District representatives that began in 2024. Our Buildings and Grounds Department began removing old playground equipment in preparation for the project in 2026. 

We have provided updates on several projects through the year involving roadway improvements and trail/sidewalk network expansion.  Projects currently in stages of planning include:

1. Route 146/Tanner Road- Roundabout
2. Route 146/Waite Road – Roundabout
3. Clifton Park Center Road/Sitterly Road- Roundabout & Sidewalk extensions
4. Plank Road/Kinns Road- Intersection Redevelopment
5. Route 146 Trail/Sidewalk- Vistas Development to Shen Entrance (North side of Route 146)
6. Clifton Country Road- Sidewalk Expansion
7. Vischer Ferry Road- fill trail gap on East side of the road
8. Kinns Road/Farm to Market Road- Corridor study with Town of Halfmoon 

As we look forward to 2026, the Town of Clifton Park continues to be in sound fiscal condition.  New redevelopment efforts in the Exit 9 area through the years have increased our tax base, converted empty buildings into revenue generating opportunities, assured the school system is well-funded thereby lowering school tax increases and offered essential services close to home.