At their meeting on Tuesday, the City Council approved a resolution on VLT revenue. The resolution was brought by Commissioner Kenneth Ivins. You can read it here:

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK

WHEREAS, In 2002, The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors resolved to allow the introduction of Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) to be installed at the Saratoga Harness Track, renamed Saratoga Gaming and Raceway; and

WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs has received distribution of VLT host community revenues from the New York State budget for each of the subsequent years that the VLTs have been in existence, or a sum now equal to approximately 10% of the entire current City operating budget; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of New York has proposed in the 2008 Executive Budget that the current level of VLT distribution given to the City of Saratoga Springs be reduced by one half in 2009 and further reduced to zero commencing 2010; and

WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs continues to bear the burden of costs associated with hosting a gaming facility within its borders, and the loss of the distribution or any portion thereof will be detrimental to all City taxpayers;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED as follows:

1. The City strongly urges the Governor of the State of New York to reconsider his proposal of reducing and eventually eliminating said distribution.

2. The City recommends that legislation be passed by both houses of the Legislature of the State of New York guaranteeing that the distribution to host municipalities continue at the current or a higher level as long as VLTs are located within the borders of and the financial burden remains on host municipalities.

NOW BE IT ALSO RESOLVED:

1. That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Governor of the State of New York, the Temporary President of the New York State Senate, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, the Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly and to each member of the New York State Legislature.

March 4, 2008