Opinion: Saratoga’s State of the City is forward-looking

The Saratoga City Council and I held the annual Saratoga State of the City event on Saturday, Oct. 5. I was honored to give the 2024 State of the City address with the theme of “Looking Forward,” emphasizing the city’s commitment to the future of Saratoga while building on the successes of the past year.

I am pleased to announce that our city reached a major milestone with the approval of the Saratoga 2040 General Plan this spring. It will guide our land use decisions to ensure that growth reflects our community’s vision and needs. The California Department of Housing and Community Development certified our 2023-31 Housing Element. This accomplishment came after a challenging journey to align the city’s plans with state requirements. Council members and staff worked diligently with our community members and state agencies to address our community’s housing needs while preserving the unique character of our beloved city.

Public safety is a top priority in Saratoga. With our strong safety record and low crime rate, we have gone a step further to enhance security. In 2022, the city began an Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) initiative. Starting with just seven cameras, we now have nearly 60 ALPR cameras strategically placed throughout the city. These cameras are instrumental in enabling the sheriff’s office to take preventive action before crimes occur.

With the threat of wildfire in Saratoga, we are fortunate to be included in the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s list of Fire Risk Reduction Communities. This designation is a significant achievement for our city and reflects our proactive and comprehensive approach to wildfire prevention and community safety.

Saratoga’s public infrastructure also remains a high priority. This year, we resurfaced miles of roads through the city’s Pavement Management Program, enhancing safety and improving transportation across the community. Next summer, construction will begin on improvements to the Historic Saratoga Village Parking Districts, adding more ADA-accessible parking spots and EV chargers, improving drainage to protect neighborhoods and installing more landscaping, among many other features to support a positive and memorable experience in downtown Saratoga.

As a Tree City USA for 17 years now, Saratoga is renowned for its beautiful tree canopy. We maintain 15 public parks and miles of urban and soft-surface trails to promote an active lifestyle while also preserving Saratoga’s natural beauty. Saratoga has been honored with the National 2024 Voice of the People Award in Excellence in Government Performance for Health and Wellness by the International City/County Management Association. This highlights our city’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of our residents. Thank you to our partner, Successful Aging Solutions and Community Consulting for its help in achieving this award.

Accomplishments such as these are possible because of the city’s dedication to fiscal responsibility, which requires careful planning, sound management practices and strategic investment in our community’s priorities. We recently received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association, marking 17 years of achieving this recognition. Additionally, we received the association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for the 29th consecutive year. These honors reflect our continued commitment to fiscal integrity and transparency, ensuring a prosperous future for Saratoga.

At the State of the City event, I was honored to present awards to those in the Saratoga community who truly pay it forward. Capt. Tiffany Woods of the Santa Clara County Fire Department received the award for Firefighter of the Year. Deputy Chris Valesco of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office was awarded Officer of the Year. Businessperson of the Year went to Marilyn Marchetti of Avanti Entertainment and Events. Saratoga resident Ray Froess was recognized as Citizen of the Year. The Saratoga Village Gardeners were named Organization of the Year for keeping our historic Saratoga Village beautiful year-round.

The Village is not just a business district; it is the heart of our community, embodying the city’s character and history. With its treelined streets, unique shops, local restaurants, art galleries, museums and historic landmarks, the Village is a beloved destination for both residents and visitors. We invite you to participate in some upcoming events. Big Basin Way in downtown Saratoga has dozens of homemade scarecrows up and down the street – some funny, some scary, and some out of this world. Please also save the date for our annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Nov. 29, at 5:30 p.m. in Blaney Plaza. Make it a holiday adventure in Saratoga!

Yan Zhao is the mayor of Saratoga.