Law and Finance committee approves grants, contracts and budget amendments; schedules airport lease hearing

The Saratoga County Law and Finance Committee on April 9 approved multiple resolutions across public works, health, public safety, economic development, and other county operations and scheduled several public hearings and contract awards.

Key approvals and budget actions included: acceptance of a drinking-water enhancement grant from the New York State Department of Health that will amend the 2025 county budget to increase revenue and fund balance by $152,335; authorization of $1,500,000 in funding for design and construction of the Riverview Road culvert replacement project in the town of Clifton Park (with any costs exceeding $1.5 million to be the county’s responsibility); and approval of a related professional services agreement with Johnson, Miramarian & Thompson Inc. for design and construction inspection in the amount of $432,000.

Public-safety items approved included a $65,964.72 purchase of Nutanix software for the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office critical infrastructure and a related $19,600 agreement for installation and implementation with eGroup Enabling Technologies LLC; and acceptance of an annual Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) grant from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (annual amount $118,926) with a 2025 budget amendment increasing fund balance by $37,203.28 per presentation to the committee.

Economic development and local projects approved included allocation of $33,643.77 to pay 2024 economic development grants to the village of Round Lake, the city of Mechanicville and the towns of Corinth, Greenfield and Stillwater; and a $20,000 transfer from the county trails development reserve to cover 2024 trail projects for the Town of Wilton and Village of Stillwater.

Sewer District and capital work approvals included: authorization of a contract not to exceed $940,200 for general contracting and electrical work on primary clarifier upgrades for Saratoga County Sewer District #1; a $76,000 electrical contract with Spring Electric Inc.; a $839,630 contract with Precision Trenchless LLC for rehabilitation of the Englebore sewer system in the town of Clifton Park; a $266,400 design and construction-phase services contract with MJ Engineering for Clifton Gardens neighborhood sewer rehabilitation; and pump-station upgrade contracts with Flack Industries (not to exceed $347,855) and Roselle East (not to exceed $153,350).

The committee also set a public hearing for a proposed lease with Alexi’s at the Airport Inc. to operate the restaurant at the Saratoga County Airport. The proposed lease includes one year at $26,040 with two five-year renewal options, a 5% annual increase and a hearing scheduled for May 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

Other administrative items approved by the committee included acceptance of a $25,000 adoption and legal-guardianship incentive fund from the New York State Office indicated in the record, approval of a pollution-liability insurance policy that satisfies requirements under New York environmental conservation law section 4556 and an amendment to the county’s insurance program through May 8, 2026 (total annual insurance premiums reported as $1,545,711.85). The committee also authorized three agreements to purchase solar energy credits (first-year projected savings of $46,846; $51,744; and $30,084 respectively) intended to reduce the county’s electricity costs over a 15-year period; a housekeeping budget reallocation for Microsoft 365 licenses; and forwarded a resolution requesting the state legislature consider bills S6998 (Senate) and A7634 (Assembly) to amend the New York State tax law to enable Saratoga County’s participation in a short-term rental registry.

Routine proclamations and appointments approved included proclamations recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Month, Older Americans Month and National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, as well as the appointment of Stanley Delong (Town of Milton) to serve on the County Fire Advisory Board through Dec. 31, 2026.

Most items were approved on voice vote with little or no debate; when recorded comment occurred (for example, the solar energy credits), members asked about installation status and contractual exit options. The committee voted to forward the separate last-call hours proposal to the full board after a public hearing (see separate story).

Speakers who appeared during the meeting included Chairman Barrett and multiple county supervisors and staff who presented departmental items and answered questions.