November

December 6 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.

December 7 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.

December 12 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.

December 13 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.

December 21 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.

December 26 at 11AM: 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.

December 28 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 Department of Workforce Development 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.

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The 60-minute Narcan training presentation will provide participants with an in-depth look at what opioids are and data that demonstrates how the opioid epidemic is affecting Saratoga County. Participants will learn how to recognize an opioid overdose and administer nasal Narcan. Participants also will receive a free Narcan rescue kit, which includes two doses of Narcan, a rescue breathing face shield, a certificate of training, a drug disposal system, and a mental health and substance use disorder resource guide.

Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, is a safe medication that can save someone’s life by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. It only works on opioids, such as heroin, prescription pain medications, and fentanyl, but is safe to use even if opioids are not present. 911 should always be called after administering Naloxone. New York State’s Good Samaritan Law allows people to call 911 without fear of arrest if they are having a drug overdose that requires emergency medical care or if they witness someone overdosing.

Residents who are unable to attend the training event can request an overdose rescue kit and view upcoming training events at www.saratogacountyny.gov/narcan.

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The proposed $411 million budget reduces the property tax rate by 8%, keeping the levy within the state’s property tax cap and continuing to provide Saratoga County homeowners the lowest property tax rate in the State at $1.95 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The County makes a conservative sales tax revenue projection for 2024 of $165 million, amidst higher inflation and uncertainty in future consumer spending habits. This is a decrease of $5 million compared with expected 2023 revenues.

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said, “Saratoga County continues to be one of the fastest growing, fiscally conservative counties in the State as reflected in this proposed budget. Given the uncertain economic and inflation pressures we are experiencing, homeowners and businesses will receive real relief with an 8% property tax rate reduction. Importantly, the budget upholds our fiscally responsible practices, continues to provide vital programs and services to our residents, supports public safety and public health initiatives, and makes smart investments in economic development.”

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Jonathan Schopf said, “Once again our budget reflects our goals to invest in needed services and programs for our residents while continuing to reduce taxes. This fiscal discipline has proven to be a catalyst for growth in our County, and to ensure we can continue to provide services that make Saratoga County one of the healthiest and safest counties in New York State.”

County Administrator Steve Bulger said, “We are pleased to be able to provide robust services for our residents in an increasingly challenging fiscal environment. Unfunded state and federal mandates continue to grow every year, which will cost our taxpayers over $6 million more than in 2023. We are also making significant investments in broadband, highway, and other infrastructure improvements to help sustain the quality-of-life Saratoga County residents enjoy.”

2024 Tentative Budget Investments for Saratoga County Residents Include:

• Continued support of and new investments in Youth Development Programs administered by the Department of Aging and Youth Services (Youth Development, Youth Sports, and Teams programs) that provide opportunities to disadvantaged children and youth countywide who may not otherwise have access to youth sports programs. A new program, Teams, will provide funding to towns and team sports programs throughout the county that support the health and well-being of children and youth. ($352,612)
• A broadband expansion project to provide high-speed broadband expansion to the towns of Corinth, Day, Edinburg, Hadley, and Providence, utilizing federal ARPA funds. This investment will open opportunities for underserved residents of our northern corridor to work remotely, engage in education activities, get access to tele-health care, and more easily communicate with their friends and family. ($2,051,813)
• Workforce Development training investments to provide residents and businesses with career and job seeker training opportunities with a special focus on developing a strong workforce for in-demand skilled trades jobs. ($487,471)
• A new Caregivers Conference administered by the Department of Aging and Youth Services dedicated to empowering family and professional caregivers with essential knowledge, resources, and practical tools to help them in their important roles of caregivers. ($9,240)
• Enhanced investments in economic development and tourism programs to maintain Saratoga County’s status as a cultural, entertainment, and industry destination for travelers and businesses worldwide (more than $1.3 million)
• Preserving open space and providing outdoor recreational opportunities for residents through investments in our Farmland and Open Space Acquisition and fish stocking programs and by increasing funding for our Local Assistance to County Trails grant program. ($575,000)
• Continued investments to address the opioid epidemic including utilizing Opioid Settlement Funds to create programs and provide services to connect families, veterans, and underserved populations with community-based treatment, rehabilitation, recovery, and support services related to opioid and substance use disorders. ($150,000)
• Robust investments in public safety to build upon Saratoga County’s longstanding ranking as one of New York State’s safest communities and support officials’ increased obligations stemming from changes in New York State public safety laws. These include investments in personnel, technology, and equipment for the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department, Public Defender’s Department, and Conflict Defender’s Office. (nearly $57,000,000)
• Emergency Services communications upgrades and a new Fire Training Tower in support of volunteer firefighters throughout Saratoga County. (more than $3 million)

For more information, to view the budget brief, and to read the full tentative 2024 budget, please visit www.SaratogaCountyNY.gov.

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