City council ratifies DPW union MOA over finance objections; measure passes 3-2

The Saratoga Springs City Council approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the CSEA Local 1000 DPW unit on Feb. 4, following union ratification. The council vote was 3-2.

Council materials and speakers said the MOA was the product of recent mediation and includes a 3.5% wage increase for the unit, on top of prior increases negotiated in recent years. The union ratified the agreement by a wide margin, council materials said.

Finance Commissioner raised budgetary concerns during debate, telling the council that recurring personnel increases, combined with long-term steps and longevity pay, create unsustainable pressure on operations if sales and occupancy tax revenues continue to decline. She noted year-to-date declines in sales tax and occupancy tax as context for the warning and said continued salary increases reduce the city's ability to fund capital priorities such as a new police facility or water and sewer work.

Supporters said the MOA had been negotiated through mediation and ratified by members; union concessions include a change in health insurance contributions for new hires. Opponents said the percentage increases were large given current revenue trends. The council voted 3-2 to approve the MOA.

Council discussion noted the MOA is one of the early labor agreements the city must address and that it will set a tone for upcoming bargaining with other employee groups. After the vote the mayor's office and staff indicated they will continue to present budget projections for future bargaining and capital planning.

The MOA was presented to council as a handwritten memorandum produced at mediation with a printed copy distributed to members for the record; the council approved it per standard ratification procedures.