Saratoga County Supervisors Meeting Notes: May 18, 2021
• Woodlawn Ave Building Brought 182 Bids
The Board approved the sale of its building at 31 Woodlawn Ave. in Saratoga Springs to the Adirondack Trust Company for $2,800,100.
An online auction was held April 6-28 and the Adirondack Trust Company was the highest bidder. In all, 182 bids were received.
• Battling COVID-19: The Next Phase
On March 17, 2020, the Board of Supervisors effected a transfer of $1 million to Saratoga County Public Health Services to allow Public Health Services in an effort to combat COVID-19. Temporary staff were hired, supplies and equipment procured, and help designated to meet the needs of those in the community subject to quarantine.
Citing the fight against COVID-19 having entered the inoculation phase, the Board this week effected a transfer of $700,000 to continue efforts to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds for this new phase are allocated to secure additional adequate facilities, supplies, equipment, and temporary staff as needed to administer vaccine.
• County Approves PR Director Position
The Board of Supervisors approved the creation of a Director of Public Relations as a new position under the county administrator. The position will have a base salary of $73,127. The director of public relations will report to County Administrator Steve Bulger.
• We Can Hear You, Soon
Long identified as being in need of an upgrade, the Board of Supervisors Room and Board of Supervisors Conference Room are slated to receive audio and visual upgrades to allow more efficient and effective interaction with the public during open meetings.
This week, the Board authorized the county to enter into an agreement with Presentation Concepts Corporation of Syracuse for audio/visual upgrade design to be implemented in the Board of Supervisors Room and Board of Supervisors Conference at a cost of up to $143,735. The agreement is subject to the approval of the County Attorney.
• A Full-Service Public Health Department
The county approved the appropriation of $200,000 to the operating budget of Public Health Services to assist with costs in efforts to convert to a full-service public health department. The New York State Department of Health said they will no longer be providing environmental health services in Saratoga County, which are currently provided by the DOH through the Glens Falls District Office.
“A transition to a full-service health district will provide benefits to the health and welfare of the citizens of Saratoga County,” according to the county board’s resolution. “It is anticipated that the conversion to a full-service health district will require significant planning, investment and expenditures including but not limited to contractual costs, legal costs, and consultant fees, and this Board in an effort to provide assistance to Public Health Services is appropriating these funds to assist with the conversion.”
The $200,000 appropriation is broken down this way: Attorney’s Fees $100,000; Other Professional Services $ 50,000; Departmental Supplies $50,000.