People at the Charter Open House asked: “What is the timeline for implementation the proposed Saratoga Springs City Charter?”
The answer: Nov. 7, 2017, voters approve the new city charter, and also elect commissioners and a mayor who take office, under the rules of the current charter, on Jan. 1, 2018.
Within 60 days of filing of the charter referendum results, the city council (including the mayor) appoints a nine-member transition team. Among other things, the team is charged with recommending salaries for the council, mayor, city manager, the budget for 2020, and conducts a search for a city manager.
Nov. 5, 2019, election of the city council (including the mayor) to serve under the new charter’s format.
Nov. 30, 2019, the sitting city council adopts the budget for 2020.
Jan. 1, 2020, the new city charter goes into full effect, the new city council takes office and considers the appointment of the city manager.
The new charter calls for a seven-member city council (six council members and a mayor) to make policy and a professional city manager hired by the council to administer the city departments, internal audits, and other significant changes. read the entire proposed charter at www.saratogacharter.com.
Barbara Thomas
Saratoga Springs
The writer is a member of the Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission.
Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
