December

January 4 at 10AM: Resume Development. This workshop presents the basics of a powerful and effective cover letter including formatting, tailoring to the job, and getting through the online application process to land an interview. Please have a rough draft of your resume with you. Facilitated by Rensselaer & Columbia-Greene.

January 5 at 11AM: Transferable Skills. Transferable skills are qualities you have already acquired that can be used in a different job. Learn how to make employers see the connection between your qualities and the skillset needed to do the job and market yourself as the solution to an employer’s problem. Facilitated by Warren and Albany.

January 10 at 10:30AM: Interview Preparation. Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. Facilitated by Schenectady.

January 11 at 10AM: Goal Setting. This workshop explores how goal setting works, why goals are important, and provides helpful resources to get you started to reach your dreams. Facilitated by Washington and Albany.

January 19 at 11AM: Completing Job Applications. Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.

January 24 at 10AM: Overcoming Barriers. Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Saratoga and Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.

January 26 at 1:30PM: Social Media. Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady.

Registration is required for all workshops. Visit https://thejoblink.org/calendar/ to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at (518) 884-4170 for more information. The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign.

The Saratoga County Employment and Training Office provides comprehensive training and employment services to residents through its Career Center and works with local businesses to attract and retain the local workforce.

The Greater Capital Region Career Centers is a group of local county and city-based Career Centers and partners that coordinate services to address the workforce needs of the Greater Capital Region by providing a variety of career and workforce resources, training opportunities, and more. Members include Capital Region Workforce New York; Columbia-Green Workforce NY; City of Albany Career Center; L.E.A.P; Rensselaer County Career Center; Saratoga County Career Center; Schenectady County Connects; Warren County Career Center; Workforce Solutions System of Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie Counties.

This important program is part of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which helps to recruit volunteers age 55 or older for many opportunities throughout Saratoga County.Volunteering as a driver for the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services is a great opportunity for retired individuals who want to give back to their community.

To become a volunteer, individuals must submit paperwork, including references, to the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services. Volunteers must have a valid driver license. Training and orientation are provided to all volunteers.

Those interested in becoming a volunteer may call the Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-884-4100 for details.

BALLSTON SPA, NY — Saratoga County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the County’s 2023 budget at a December 14, 2022 special meeting, delivering a balanced budget with a 5% decrease in the property tax rate, no reliance on reserve funds, and an overall decrease of government spending by $3.2 million from the 2022 adopted budget.

The 2023 Saratoga County Budget is fiscally responsible and controls government spending while providing robust government programs and services to residents.

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said, “The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors is proud to approve this balanced budget that provides Saratoga County homeowners a 5% property tax reduction, upholds our fiscally conservative practices, and supports vital programs and services for our residents. The 2023 budget exhibits our long-held beliefs in exercising fiscal discipline while furthering commonsense policies and smart investments in government programs that help Saratoga County continue to thrive which are even more impactful during these volatile economic times.”

SARATOGA COUNTY ADOPTED 2023 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
• Delivers a balanced budget of $378.3 million for 2023 without using fund balance reserves for the first time in six years
• Reduces the overall budget by $3.2 million from the 2022 adopted budget
• Reduces the County’s Property Tax Rate by 5%, keeping it under the tax cap
• Maintains Saratoga County’s position as having the lowest county property taxes in New York State
• Maintains funding for important programs and services

The 2023 budget reduces the property tax rate by 5%, keeping the levy within the tax cap and continuing to provide Saratoga County homeowners the lowest property tax rate in the State at $2.12 per $1,000 of assessed value. This will provide on average a 5% property tax cut for homeowners and businesses.

The 2023 budget cuts government spending by $3.2 million over the 2022 budget while maintaining funding for and making key investments in important government services and programs.

The County makes a conservative sales tax revenue projection of $150 million, amidst national soaring inflation and uncertainty in future consumer spending habits. This is a decrease of $4 million compared with 2021 sales tax receipts and approximately $8 million less than expected 2022 revenues.

The County’s debt service remains less than 1% of the County’s operating budget. This low debt helps to maintain the County’s high AA+ rating from Standard & Poors (S&P), which will help the County weather any possible downturns in the nation’s uncertain fiscal environment.

The Board of Supervisors made no changes to funding allocations proposed in the tentative budget, which maintains funding for vital government services and includes significant investments in public health and safety, tourism, economic development, community development, and open space.

For more information and to read the 2023 budget, please visit www.saratogacountyny.gov.

BALLSTON SPA, NY — Saratoga County officials today announced the completion of an energy efficiency LED lighting upgrades that will save approximately $46,500 a year in energy costs. A total of 1,929 florescent fixtures were replaced with LEDs at the County Department of Public Works garage and office space, Correctional Facility, and Animal Shelter, reducing energy consumption at these facilities by 300,700 kilowatt hours a year.

“The LED lighting upgrade in County buildings is an important step to improve the work environment for employees and save money by reducing energy usage, said Public Works Committee Chairman Phil Barrett. “More than 1900 fixtures were installed, and all lighting removed was recycled appropriately.”

The upgrade provides for energy and cost savings as well as improved lighting throughout the buildings, as LED lights are more energy efficient, shine brighter, and last longer than traditional lighting.

The County took advantage of a utility incentive of $31,019 offered by National Grid for this $277,586 project, which is expected to pay for itself in energy savings and efficiencies in approximately six years. Following an RFP process, the County contracted with Centrica Business Solutions to perform energy and lighting assessments and installation of the fixture replacements to LEDs.

For more information about Saratoga County, please visit www.saratogacountyny.gov.