2018 proposed Saratoga Springs City Charter vote

More than just a “ceremonial” role, the Mayor for the City of Saratoga Springs has the responsibility for Development Services, the departments that are critical to responsible growth in the City. These city services remain the responsibility of the Mayor if voters approve the proposed Charter on the ballot November 6th, as well as collective bargaining and chairing the Capital Program Committee.

Since my appointment as Deputy Mayor, much of my time has been focused on the City’s Building, Planning, and Zoning Departments. These are a priority due to the sheer volume of applications our thriving City receives and the importance of them to quality-of-life for Saratogians. The Mayor and I work together with the staff to ensure that that requested and current projects meet both City requirements and the overall vision the Mayor was elected to pursue. Claims that the Mayor’s role would be reduced to only “ceremonial” under the proposed Charter demonstrate a basic misunderstanding of the Mayor’s responsibilities and the leadership she/he provides in the commission form of government.

The proposed Charter does make some organizational changes that, I believe, strengthen the overall functions and improve some operational inefficiencies that many believe are inherent in the commission form of government. As a member of the 2018 Charter Review Commission, I supported the proposals to move Human Resources, Legal, IT and Risk and Safety to separate departments and to move Recreation to the Department of Public Works. The benefits of these changes to the City have been previously discussed, and I would also emphasize the opportunity for improvements in Civil Service and Human Resources, as the perceived conflict of the Mayor’s authority over Human Resources would be removed.

Read the proposed Charter on the City’s website at saratogasprings.org, and Vote on November 6th! Lisa Shields Saratoga Springs Deputy Mayor