Civil Service administrator presents budget with no personnel changes, small travel uptick

Michelle Mills, civil service administrator for the Newburgh Civil Service Commission, presented the commission’s budget on Sept. 25 and said it includes no personnel changes. "I present my budget tonight with, no changes to the personnel," Mills told the council.

Mills said the only material change is a roughly $500 increase to the travel line to cover costs associated with administering large civil-service examinations. She explained temporary help and exam monitors are funded through the temporary-help line: "temporary help is in there every year," she said, describing clerical support needed when hundreds of applications are processed and admission notices and rosters are produced.

Councilors asked about a larger “other services” line that lists roughly $16,000; Mills said that amount is retained in case the commission needs to retain legal counsel for litigation, though the commission has rarely used the line. Mayor Harvey asked whether the MTA tax or additional payroll lines were included; Mills said the MTA tax is not in the commission budget and noted Social Security and other payroll-related costs remain separate.

The council heard the commission’s presentation as part of a broader budget work session that also covered the assessor’s office and the fire department. The work session concluded with the council closing the Sept. 25 meeting.