Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission approves housing-authority job-spec change and multiple personnel appointments

Chairperson Tim Holmes presided over the Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission meeting on Nov. 26, 2025, where commissioners approved a revision to the housing-authority accountant job specification, finalized a string of personnel appointments across several departments and reviewed the commission's 2026 budget.

Staff coordinator Carissa Salvo told the commission the housing authority asked that a prior-government experience requirement be removed from the accountant job specification so as not to unduly limit the candidate pool; the agenda will instead include a brief bullet noting that "experience within a government entity is desired," she said. Commissioner Jeff Altamari moved to approve the change; Chairperson Tim Holmes seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The commission approved a set of Department of Public Works actions reported by staff: one new full-time union laborer appointment; a promotional noncompetitive appointment to heavy equipment operator; three motor equipment operator appointments (two promotional, one open posting); continuation of a leave of absence for a heavy equipment operator; and several completed probationary periods for DPW technical and supervisory staff. Commissioner Altamari made a series of motions covering the DPW items and Holmes seconded; the votes were recorded as aye and the motions carried unanimously.

The commission also approved a one-week leave-of-absence record for a principal library clerk (staff reported the employee had returned to payroll), provisional and promotional appointments in the mayor's department including a provisional promotional senior planner and a provisional principal planner, and a noncompetitive appointment for a part-time city historian. Short-term, one-day seasonal hires for Camp Saradac counselors (Nov. 28-29) and several part-time recreation positions were approved as noncompetitive appointments. School district personnel actions — including a provisional clerk appointment, labor class appointments for one cleaner and four school monitors, multiple part-time and noncompetitive school support appointments, and several completed probationary periods — were also approved during the meeting.

On budget matters, Salvo summarized routine civil service transactions and said the commission's adopted 2026 budget portion was $254,008.59 compared with $252,540.30 in 2025, adding that "there were some cuts in postage and office supplies and training and medical exams." Commissioners discussed broader fiscal pressure from rising pension and insurance costs and noted state-level recruitment efforts and waived exam fees by New York State civil service, while observing that not all state initiatives "trickle down" to local municipalities.

The commission opened a public comment period but received no speakers and closed the period. Members discussed potential dates for the December meeting (Dec. 31 versus Dec. 22) and agreed to confirm availability with a colleague before finalizing the schedule. Chairperson Holmes adjourned the meeting at 09:53; the closing was recorded as "sine die."