Public Safety & Fiscal Responsibility
Providing public safety is Saratoga's utmost priority. It is also the city’s largest expense, comprising more than 30% of the budget and rising.
Under the renewed $10.6M Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department contract for Fiscal Year 2026–27, police coverage will adjust to reflect 1,500 fewer patrol availability hours. Our top priority remains maintaining the highest level of public safety. We will actively monitor response times and community impact to ensure service quality is never compromised, and we stand ready to adapt our safety strategies whenever necessary.
Although our current budget fully covers present law enforcement costs, continuing at this funding level over the long term will place significant pressure on City resources. We will actively identify strategic solutions to achieve a balanced budget, protect core public services, and maintain strong fiscal stewardship for our community’s future.
Protecting Saratoga’s seniors from complex financial fraud requires a proactive approach. By mobilizing regional and local agencies to provide necessary resources, alongside targeted educational programs, we can better prevent scams against our older residents. My career in online fraud prevention gives me the expertise needed to lead and support these initiatives.
Housing & Land Use
Every eight years, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) assigns a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) to cities across the state. For the last Housing Element of 2023–2031, the state mandated that Saratoga plan for over 1,700 new housing units. The process has created an ongoing tension between homeowners, developers, and the city, most notably through state tools like the Builder's Remedy under the Housing Accountability Act.
State housing mandates present real challenges to Saratoga and its residents as the vast majority of Saratoga's residential land is designated for low-density single-family use. Our city must develop practical and creative solutions for meeting affordable housing needs in the region while preserving the neighborhoods, safety, and natural beauty that define our community. More specifically we have to plan early for the next housing element cycle and get certification on time.
Fire Safety & Emergency Response
A significant portion of Saratoga—particularly our western hillsides—lies within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). Protecting our lives, homes, and surrounding environment requires proactive preparation before disaster strikes.
Strengthen regional coordination: Deepen collaboration with regional fire protection agencies to enhance mutual aid, early detection, and joint response strategies.
Expand Firewise communities: Promote neighborhood-level Firewise certification and boost public awareness of wildfire alerts and emergency response plans.
Enforce defensible space regulations: Partner with homeowners to clear fuel loads and manage vegetation around residential properties.
Traffic & Neighborhood Safety
Traffic congestion directly impacts our residents in Saratoga—whether navigating school drop-off and pickup zones or managing incoming traffic from new developments near Quito Road and our city borders. We need strong, ongoing partnerships with our local schools, transit agencies, and neighboring municipalities to solve these regional traffic pressures together.
Keeping our families safe from automobiles starts with implementing effective traffic-calming and speed-reduction measures in our neighborhoods. Ensuring safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure (crosswalks, bike lanes, and sidewalk connections) around schools remains a priority, addressed in part through the city's Safe Routes to School Master Plan.
Saratoga Village & Local Business
The historic Saratoga Village is the heart of our local economy, drawing visitors from near and far with its unique charm. As a long-time resident who lives close to downtown, I enjoyed our beautiful village for dining, shopping, or meeting with friends. However I share the same observations and concerns with many neighbors about the prolonged storefront vacancies and frequent turnover in retail and dining spaces.
Revitalizing the economic and social energy of the Saratoga Village requires working on the challenges and constraints through close partnership with small business owners and residents. The City Council can lead this effort by actively supporting local merchants, attracting vibrant foot traffic, and preserving the historic charm that defines our community.