Saratoga Springs deputy mayor leaving job

PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Miller

Saratoga Springs Deputy Mayor Joseph Ogden is shown inside Saratoga Springs City Hall on Friday, June 10, 2016. Ogden announced his resignation to become the director of budget development and execution for the State University of New York system.

Deputy Mayor Joe Ogden will be leaving that position next week for a new job with the State University of New York central administration in Albany.

Ogden, a city resident who was previously a budget analyst for the state, has been Saratoga Springs’ deputy mayor since Democrat Joanne Yepsen took office as mayor at the beginning of 2014.

Yepsen on Friday expressed regret over Ogden’s pending departure, but said she was happy for him.

“He has brought a professional approach, along with extensive policy and financial experience, to my department that was much needed and appreciated,” Yepsen said.

Ogden will become director of budget development and execution for the SUNY system.

“Being deputy mayor of our city has been a dream job for me,” Ogden said in a statement. “Many thanks to Mayor Yepsen for this fantastic opportunity; it has been a privilege to work alongside her on our many accomplishments in City Hall.”

Yepsen said she will be collecting resumes for the position, which is full time and pays about $69,000. There is no timeline for filling the position, but she’ll start working to find a replacement immediately.

Under Saratoga Springs’ governing system, the mayor is a nominally a part-time position, paying $14,500, although most mayors in the recent past — including Yepsen — have worked something close to full-time hours.

The deputy mayor is full time.

“This is a difficult job that will require someone who is hard-working, able to manage others effectively, has some understanding of government and public policy, and perhaps most importantly is passionate about advancing a progressive and sustainable future for the city of Saratoga Springs,” Yepsen said.

Interested individuals may email Yepsen at [email protected]

Reach Gazette reporter Stephen Williams at 395-3086, [email protected] or @gazettesteve on Twitter.