Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Capital topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Glens Falls board reviews 2026 budgets, vehicle replacements and sludge costs; electrical upgrade planned
Summary
Board members reviewed draft water and sewer budgets, discussed vehicle replacements and a large planned electrical upgrade, and noted an 11% increase in sludge-disposal costs. The board also discussed a timber-sale deposit and potential truck-replacement funding plan.
At its Oct. 6 meeting the City of Glens Falls Water & Sewer Board reviewed draft 2026 water and sewer budgets, discussed several planned capital purchases and an electrical upgrade at treatment facilities, and noted a rise in sludge-disposal expenses.
Board members said one bond matured this year, returning revenue to the sewer fund, and that the city provided $300,000 in capital improvement funding. The sewer budget was projected to remain essentially unchanged; the water budget was expected to increase about 5.5 percent with an approximate $200,000 draw on fund balance, according to staff.
Major cost drivers and capital items
- Sludge disposal: staff reported sludge-disposal costs rose about 11%, described as an increase of roughly $12,025 (reported in discussion). Board members said the utility is exploring a dryer to reduce hauled sludge volumes, which could reduce long-term disposal costs and create opportunities for beneficial reuse or revenue.
- Vehicles: the board discussed replacing a dump-body unit (estimated repair cost ~$30,000) and a plow truck that has high repair costs despite modest mileage; staff said the existing vehicle replacement/truck fund has helped but proposed adding a $60,000 contingency contribution in the coming year to smooth future replacements.
- Metering and van purchase: the board expects to buy an electric van to centralize meter reading and support meter installations and repairs; board members said rates have not increased in several years and the utility will propose a new meter fee.
- Electrical upgrade: the board scheduled a workshop with Wright-Pierce (consultant Greg Pierce) and expects to finalize an electrical upgrade plan this year; members expressed concern about the long-term maintenance horizon and rapidly evolving technology. The electrical project was characterized as a large capital item (discussed in the meeting as a multi-million-dollar figure in planning) that will be phased and requires financing consideration.
Other items
Staff reported a $173,000 timber-sale check had been received and a performance bond released for that contract. Routine purchases on the warrant included an answering service and equipment replacements; the board reviewed engineering assessments for dams and routine maintenance.
Next steps
Board members will review final fee proposals and the capital plan during upcoming workshops and at a budget presentation to the city council planned for Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. The electrical upgrade procurement and final budget approvals will return to the board for formal action in future meetings.
