Washingtonville adopts 2025-26 water and sewer budgets as residents press for revenue clarity and audit answers

The Village of Washingtonville Board of Trustees adopted the proposed 2025–26 general, water and sewer budgets at its Feb. 3 meeting, following extended public comment and trustee questions about how the village projects water and sewer revenues and how recent state reviews affect the village’s finances.

Public commenters and trustees pressed village staff for detail on the basis for projected increases in water and sewer revenue in the coming year, including roughly $70,000 in increased water rents, about $150,000 in bulk-water revenue and roughly $200,000 in sewer rents noted in the adopted budget. Residents asked how those numbers were calculated and whether they depend on meter replacements and new billing practices.

Why it matters: Water and sewer revenues are a material component of the village’s operating cash flow. The board’s decision to adopt the budgets while audits and a state comptroller review remain ongoing means the village will monitor revenue and expenses closely over the coming months.

Board and staff described the revenue assumptions and monitoring plan. Staff said a $58 monthly facility fee for each billed unit remains a stable revenue source and that replacing old mechanical meters with digital “smart” meters is expected to increase measured consumption and therefore billed usage. Village staff also said the village has begun producing monthly internal reports for department managers and will publish quarterly “budget vs. actual” reports on the village website after adoption and as audits are completed.

Trustees and residents cited a letter from the New York State Comptroller’s Office that noted discrepancies in previously submitted budget figures. Village officials said the discrepancy stemmed from a roughly $34,000 miscalculation in health insurance estimates that was communicated to the state after submission and that the village has responded to the comptroller’s comments. Trustees said they had begun or completed audits for fiscal years 2021–23 and that work on 2024 audit items is underway.

Board members and residents also discussed the village’s borrowing. Officials said the village borrowed $2.6 million this year (reduced from an earlier $4.4 million plan) to cover short-term deficits and that the borrowing had been arranged after state-level approvals. Trustees said deficit bonds and sewer bonds have been paid on time and that the village hopes to qualify for a longer-term bond at a lower rate once audits are complete and Moody’s can re-evaluate the village’s rating.

Several commenters urged the board to identify new revenue sources beyond property owners, citing short-term rental registration, hotel taxes enabled by recent state law, and commercial opportunities at the industrial park or with bulk-water sales. Trustees and staff said these options were being explored and that some would require additional policy or enforcement steps.

The board’s action: The board adopted the 2025–26 budgets as presented (resolution text and vote recorded on the meeting agenda). Officials said they will monitor revenues monthly, post quarterly budget-actual reports, and provide further details to trustees as audits are finalized.

Looking ahead: Trustees said they expect monthly and quarterly reporting to provide earlier warnings if revenues fall short of projections; staff and trustees emphasized that the village will revisit rates and adjustments only after audit results and continued monitoring.

Sources: Public comment at the Feb. 3 Board of Trustees meeting; village staff remarks during the Feb. 3 meeting.