The Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission on an administrative agenda approved several personnel actions, updated a job specification to broaden qualifications for the principal planner role, and authorized an additional classified police sergeant position.

The actions, taken at a regularly scheduled meeting, included provisional promotional appointments for an IT computer support technician and the executive assistant to the city attorney; approval of revised minimum-qualification language for the principal planner specification; authorization to add a 15th sergeant slot in the police department’s classified roster; and routine noncompetitive and labor-class appointments for the Saratoga Springs Enlarged School District and a seasonal recreation hire for Camp Saradak.

The commission’s decisions are intended to maintain staffing in classified positions across the city and related municipal entities. Chairperson Kim Holmes presided over the meeting; commissioners Joanna Zane Grando and Jeff Altamira voted with the chair on the recorded motions.

On the principal planner specification, Susan Barton, administrator of the Office of Planning and Economic Development, described a proposed third minimum-qualification option that would allow candidates with a bachelor’s degree (not necessarily in a specific planning major) plus eight years of full-time paid planning experience to be eligible for the principal planner position. Barton said the change would expand the candidate pool beyond applicants whose degrees are narrowly focused in planning and that it does not remove or weaken the existing qualification options for planner and senior planner roles.

The commission approved the principal planner specification change after discussion; the motion passed unanimously. The panel also approved a provisional promotional appointment for an internal help-desk employee to the computer support technician classification; staff noted a competitive examination is scheduled for March 15 and that the provisional status is expected to be temporary.

Separately, commissioners approved a provisional appointment for Jenny (last name not specified), identified in the meeting as the executive assistant to the city attorney; staff said she has been on the job for a few weeks and the civil service exam for that title is scheduled for March 1.

Public safety staffing was addressed when commission members considered a request from the police department to increase its authorized sergeant positions from 14 to 15. An assistant chief identified as Eric was present for that item; commissioners voted to add the additional classified position.

Administrative housekeeping items included approval of meeting minutes, routine noncompetitive and labor-class appointments and completed probationary periods for the Saratoga Springs Enlarged School District, and a seasonal noncompetitive appointment for Camp Saradak. Coordinator Marissa Salo reported on the upcoming exam schedule and on billing from New York State for civil service exam fees, saying, “so far we owe about $4,500 if you can believe it.” She also described ongoing recruitment challenges for police applicants and part-time positions and noted the state’s attempt to help by offering an additional police exam window.

The commission opened and closed an executive session under Public Officers Law §105 to discuss one or more matters relating to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation; commissioners stated they would make a later decision relating to prospective candidates. Formal votes and routine approvals occurred in open session following that executive session.

Votes at a glance: approvals were unanimous among the three commissioners present (Kim Holmes, Joanna Zane Grando, Jeff Altamira). Specific vote tallies by item are reflected in the commission’s official minutes.

Meeting minutes and personnel records maintained by the commission will record the full details of each appointment and specification change.