Saratoga County committee debates recycling payments, approves routine contracts and appointments

The Saratoga County Law and Finance Committee on Jan. 15 debated whether to raise the countys per-municipality payment for municipal management of county recycling centers, then voted to approve the original five-year intermunicipal agreement at $35,000 for 2025 and a package of routine contracts and appointments.

The most contested item was the five-year intermunicipal agreements with the towns of Clifton Park, Corinth, Moreau and the City of Saratoga Springs for recyclable-collection management. The agreement as introduced authorizes $35,000 per municipality for 2025, with the amount to increase by $1,000 per municipality per year for 2026 through 2029. Supervisor Butler argued municipalities provide a convenience to residents and pressed for full county coverage: "If it's a 1 for 1, call it fully mandated cost. Right? I would, as a supervisor, want the county to cover the entire cost." County Administrator Bolger and other supervisors described how the $35,000 figure dates to 2014 and said the $1,000 annual increases were intended to gradually adjust for inflation.

Supervisor Butler moved to amend the agreement to raise the starting payment from $35,000 to $37,500 per municipality in 2025; Supervisor Murray seconded the amendment. After discussion and a roll-call, the amendment failed (4 yes, 5 no). The committee then proceeded with the original unamended agreement as placed on the agenda and approved the full Law & Finance slate.

Other items the committee approved included:

- An amendment to an agreement with PrimeCare Medical of New York to add one nurse at the Saratoga County Correctional Facility. The county will amend the budget and decrease fund balance by $14,349.82; the amendment includes one additional nurse…