12/10/2023
Yan Zhao, elected to the Saratoga City Council in 2018, served as mayor in 2021. Belal Aftab, who was elected in 2022, was named vice mayor at Saratoga’s annual council reorganization on Dec. 6.

From Los Gatan...

Families & Children Parks & Recreation Town of Los Gatos City of Saratoga

EXCLUSIVE: Assemblymember Announces $1 Million for LGS Recreation

07/25/2023
Image for display with article titled Assemblymember Announces $1 Million for LGS Recreation

Many of the 30 or so people who filed into the community center had no idea what was about to be announced, but one could tell it would be massive.

From The Mercury News...

Crime & Justice City of Saratoga

Saratoga Residents Add to City’s Network of License Plate Readers

06/18/2023
In affluent Saratoga, crime rates sit well below the regional average, yet residential burglaries have been a top concern. A group of residents in the Saratoga Woods neighborhood invested in license plate reader cameras to deter criminals from entering their neighborhood.

From The Mercury News...

Economy & Jobs Seniors City of Saratoga

West Valley Senior Service Providers Fight to Keep Up

06/09/2023
According to 2020 census data, Saratoga residents’ median age was 50.5, nearly a dozen years older than the nationwide mean of 38.8. As residents age, they face many challenges—and so do the organizations holding their safety net together.

From The Mercury News...

City of Saratoga City of Saratoga City Council

Tree Removal Fees Removed

04/12/2023
After Saratoga incurred approximately $250,000 in storm damage due in part to blue gem eucalyptus trees, the city has halted all tree removal fees for the next few months. The free tree removals are part of an effort to clear damage and replant trees as soon as possible to preserve the city's tree canopy.

From The Mercury News...

City of Saratoga Housing

Builders Break Ground on Saratoga’s Quito Village Development

03/09/2023
The controversial mixed-use development, located on Cox Avenue between Paseo Presada and Saratoga Avenue, is slated to have 17 buildings with more than 90 new housing units and 5,000 square feet of commercial space.

From The Mercury News...

City of Saratoga City of Saratoga City Council Public Safety

Saratoga Adopts Review Process to Bypass Fire Restrictions

03/04/2023
After new state guidelines thwarted housing developments in high fire hazard zones, the Saratoga City Council adopted a process to bypass some of those restrictions. The process calls for a review of housing developments in these zones on a case-by-case basis.

From The Mercury News...

City of Saratoga Kookie Fitzsimmons

Saratoga Mayor: Retreat Moves City Council Forward

02/21/2023
On Feb. 10, the Saratoga City Council held its annual retreat. Every year, we utilize this full-day session to discuss collective goals and priorities for the year, along with various timely topics of interest.

From The Mercury News...

City of Saratoga City of Saratoga City Council

Saratoga Council Funds Events Despite Projected Deficit

02/19/2023
Saratoga City Council approved funding for seven community events totaling $31,500, even as some residents suggested that these events go unfunded to help with the city’s deficit, which is projected to be $4.8 million budget by 2026.

From The Mercury News...

City of Saratoga Economy & Jobs

Saratoga Could Have a $4.8 Million Budget Deficit by 2026

01/04/2023
The city of Saratoga could face a $4.8 million budget deficit by 2026, staff said at a special city council meeting.

From The Mercury News...

Elections & Politics Housing City of Saratoga City of Saratoga City Council

New Saratoga Councilman Belal Aftab Discusses Priorities

01/01/2023
Saratoga-raised Belal Aftab says traffic, housing and crime are top three issues.

From The Mercury News...

Crime & Justice City of Saratoga City of Saratoga City Council

Saratoga Expands Automatic License Plate Reader Cameras

12/22/2022
The city previously purchased seven ALPRs; citizens are now allowed to use property tax assessment funds to purchase cameras. Burglaries and auto thefts are up more than a third from last year.

From SiliconValley.com...

City of Saratoga City of Saratoga City Council Land Use & Development Economy & Jobs

09/18/2022
The House Family Vineyards tasting deck has views that are as intoxicating as the wines. But some neighbors aren’t fans. On Oct. 5, the Saratoga City Council will hear an appeal against a temporary permit to keep the deck open until a conditional use permit can be greenlit in 2023.

From SiliconValley.com...

City of Saratoga Housing

Saratoga Updates Housing Element, Approves Opportunity Sites

02/16/2022
The Saratoga City Council voted on eight potential housing sites for its Housing Element update. The approval of sites where future housing could be built came after six lengthy discussions.

From Cupertino Today...

City of Cupertino City of Monte Sereno City of Saratoga Town of Los Gatos City of Campbell Seniors Transportation

West Valley Seniors Get Ticket to RYDE

05/31/2021
Senior residents in five Santa Clara County municipalities will soon benefit from an expansion of Reach Your Destination Easily (RYDE), which provides transportation to people over 65.

From San Jose Inside...

City of Cupertino City of San Jose City of Saratoga COVID-19 Education Town of Los Gatos

Parents Lead Recall Efforts Against South Bay School Boards

03/17/2021
Political pressure is rising against local trustees, with a few recall notices issued in the past week. One of the biggest pushes is against Cupertino Unified School District trustees.