November

BALLSTON SPA, NY — Saratoga County officials today announced the creation of the Saratoga County Peer Support Team (SCPST), a unique multi-agency peer support team that provides mental health and posttraumatic incident response to first responders in need. The SCPST is a collaboration between Saratoga County Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Saratoga County EMS Council. The team’s mission is to respond to Responders.

The trained team of 50 members across multiple agencies and responder disciplines, including EMS, fire, and law enforcement, stands ready to aid individual First Responders in distress or groups in the aftermath of traumatic incidents.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), among others, report significantly elevated levels of anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation and attempts, addiction, and divorce among First Responders.

Locally, within the past six weeks, during the team’s pilot, members conducted critical incident debriefings at five agencies and provided individual support and follow up to more than 20 individuals who responded to calls involving fatalities and First Responder suicide.

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said, “We are very pleased to announce this peer support service that gives back to our first responders who give selflessly every day to help Saratoga County residents and others. This combined team of EMS, fire, law enforcement and mental health professionals will use their unique skills to assist their peers in need which will further bolster the resilience of our first responders.”

Dr. Michael Prezioso, Commissioner of Saratoga County Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Albany Medical College leads the SCPST startup.

Dr. Prezioso said, “This unique collaboration between the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Saratoga County EMS Council offers unparalleled support to the County’s First Responders, who place themselves at risk each day in service to our community.”

Team members provide confidential peer support, assessment, and referral for ongoing care and treatment. The Team has a level of mental health expertise and involvement that makes this program unique and that maximizes training, problem-solving, and consultation including clinical input and education regarding behavioral healthcare systems.

In addition to peer support, the SCPST offers consultation to agencies regarding mental health and addiction, case consultation in circumstances involving repeated contact with mentally ill persons in the community and education regarding topics in mental health and addiction.

The Team is centrally coordinated and makes use of an existing communication platform. I Am Responding, used by first responders to ensure rapid notification and response in case of need. First responders may selfrefer or be referred by agency leaders.

Additional information is available through the Saratoga County EMS Council website at www.saratogaems.org.

The proposal is fiscally conservative and controls government spending while providing robust government programs and services to residents.

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. With uncertain financial times ahead, homeowners will receive much needed relief with a 5% property tax reduction through a balanced budget that doesn’t borrow from the County’s fund balance. 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, “This budget reflects our goals to invest in critical services and programs for our residents, reduce taxes, and provides a structurally sound budget that will help the County weather uncertain economic forecasts. This fiscal discipline is important for the future economic health of 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, “In the wake of increasing inflation, soaring costs for goods and services, and an uncertain national economic environment, the County is tightening its financial belt while continuing to make key investments in services and programs to sustain the quality-of-life Saratoga County residents enjoy.”

TENTATIVE 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

LOWER PROPERTY TAXES & FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE PRACTICES
The 2023 proposed 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 tentative budget cuts government spending by $3.2 million over the 2022 adopted 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.

Notable funding allocations include the following:

PUBLIC SAFETY & HEALTH
The tentative 2023 budget makes significant 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 nearly $53,000,000 for investments in personnel, technology, and equipment for the District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, Public Defender’s Department, and Conflict Defender’s Office.

The tentative budget allocates $50,000 for a countywide first responder needs assessment to provide critical information for future personnel needs, planning, and response efforts.

The budget allocates $20,000 to purchase Automated External Defibrillators for patrol vehicles, allowing trained Sheriff’s Deputies to provide life-saving aid before an ambulance can arrive and $15,000 for Project Lifesaver, which helps children with autism and people with dementia.

The proposed budget utilizes $130,000 in 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.

The proposal allocates $25,000 to expand the successful EMT Career Pathway Program countywide to help meet the growing need for more first responders.

TOURISM, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & OPEN SPACE
To continue Saratoga County‘s status as a cultural, entertainment, and industry destination for travelers and businesses worldwide, the tentative 2023 budget provides more than $600,000 to promote economic development and tourism.

This spending plan provides nearly $3 million for community development organizations that support initiatives including literacy and career development, history and culture preservation, and agriculture and environmental conservation. This funding includes $150,000 to further the county’s goals to leverage Saratoga County’s vast historical resources, advancing it as a world class heritage tourism destination.

The proposed 2023 budget includes $400,000 for the Farmland and Open Space Grant program to maintain the county’s extensive network of trails and open space.

For more information, to view the budget brief, and to read the full tentative 2023 budget, please visit www.SaratogaCountyNY.gov.