The Saratoga Springs City Council reviewed memoranda of agreement (MOAs) that would permit employees from police and fire departments to temporarily perform civilian city duties while vacancies are filled.

City staff described three separate agreements: one enabling a police investigator with IT expertise to assist the Information Technology department, another authorizing a police officer to serve temporarily as the records management clerk, and a third allowing a firefighter to act as senior clerk in the fire department until recruitment fills the slot.

Mayor Zafford said the investigator would come in "a few hours early" and be compensated with overtime funded from finance department savings; the arrangement was described as an interim measure while the city continues hiring efforts. Council members said these MOAs reflect cross-departmental collaboration and noted persistent staffing and pay challenges in positions such as assistant city clerk and IT.

Commissioner Cole said the city’s IT staff previously had only two employees; the finance director later corrected the record and reported the city now has three IT staff following a recent hire. Council members said they will consider the MOAs at the next regular meeting.

The MOAs involve the Saratoga Springs Police Protective and Benevolent Association and the Civil Service Employees Association City Hall Unit, and a separate agreement involving the Saratoga Springs Firefighters Local 343 and the Civil Service Employees Association for the senior-clerk title. No formal vote was recorded during the pre-meeting; city staff said the items would appear on the upcoming agenda.