Saratoga Springs assembling emergency team
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » At the March 17 City Council meeting, Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan received council approval to hire a Budget Director for the City of Saratoga Springs.
The City Council approved the hire of M. Lynn Bachner as the city’s first Budget Director, at an annual salary of $77,680.
In press statements released Thursday morning and afternoon, Madigan noted that in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the city is assembling a variety of team members and making changes to address the myriad of issues that the pandemic raises.
“While it may be difficult to contemplate an expenditure at this at this time, it is important
to consider investing in knowledge and experience for our future and for the safety and survival of our City,” Madigan said in the release. “Our efforts to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens and visitors are dependent on our ability to manage the economic impacts of the current, and rapidly changing situation.”
In an amended statement following Bachner’s appointment, Madigan issued a second update regarding her department personnel.
“In an effort to ensure the hiring of the Budget Director for the City of Saratoga Springs remains budget neutral for 2020, a position which is be paid at the same salary as all City Deputies, the Deputy Commissioner of Finance, Deirdre O’Dwyer-Ladd has been furloughed,” Madigan stated in the release.
“For the immediate future, the Commissioner of Finance will not be appointing a Deputy as allowed under the City Charter, and will work the newly appointed Budget Director, M. Lynn Bachner, to ensure a stable financial plan is implemented as we deal with the financial fall-out of the Covid-19 virus.
“This was not an easy decision, as Deputy O’DwyerLadd has been an asset to the City and to me in my role as Commissioner. I sincerely thank her for her service and hope to work with her again in the future.”
Madigan described Bachner as “a seasoned employee who is steeped in the knowledge and experience about our city’s budget. She has been with the city for 10 years, working with all city departments throughout several administrations, as well as a variety of historical circumstances and milestones.”
Bachner was the Deputy Commissioner of Finance for eight years for two different Finance Commissioners during the administrations of five different Mayors. She is currently the Executive Assistant to Mayor Meg Kelly. Bachner has a Juris Doctor from
University of Wisconsin Law School and a Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins.
In addition, Madigan stated: “I believe that making this investment now could make a profound difference in the financial health of the City for years to come. We are fortunate to have this experienced professional on our team, and together we will do our best to protect our citizens and the legacy of the City of Saratoga Springs.
‘There is no better time than now to ensure a strong finance team is available to work through the looming financial situation that will effect city revenues and expenses in the very nearterm.”
A State of Emergency was declared in the city on Friday, March 13 and a day later the Saratoga Springs School District announced it was canceling classes through April 19.
On March 16, a unanimous motion passed by the City Council at a special meeting to designate the Saratoga Springs Senior Center, at 5 William St. as the location of the interim site of the Code Blue shelter during the specter of the COVID-19 outbreak.