Rhinebeck trustees adopt 2025–26 budget, raise water and sewer rates and approve major purchases

The Village of Rhinebeck Board of Trustees adopted its 2025–26 general fund, water and sewer budgets at a meeting on April 8, approving a package of spending and revenue measures that the board said keeps the village under the tax cap while addressing capital needs.

The board approved a general fund budget totaling $3,432,240, with $1,000,473.67 in non‑tax revenue and $1,958,569 to be raised by taxes. The board said the village’s current total assessment is $797,180,914, which the trustees said translates to a tax rate of $2.46 per $1,000 of assessed value. Trustees also adopted a water budget presented at $1,293,280 (funded entirely by user fees) and a sewer budget of $856,400.

Trustee concerns over affordability surfaced during debate. Trustee Lydia said, “we really need to be cognizant of the economy and that we do have vulnerable citizens,” noting that households who pay rent may see increases passed through by landlords and that multiple changes in utility and fee structures could compound hardships for some residents.

Why it matters: the budgets include rate and fee changes and set the village’s near‑term spending priorities, including planned infrastructure upgrades and grant‑funded projects. The approvals also clear the way for capital purchases and committee reorganizations that affect how planning and public‑works projects will be implemented.

Key budget changes and items

- General fund: $3,432,240 total appropriations; non‑tax revenue $1,000,473.67; $1,958,569 to be raised by taxes. The village cited continued reliance on grants and an increase in fire protection revenue. - Water fund: budgeted at $1,293,280, raised entirely by user fees; trustees approved a rate increase of $1.00 per 1,000 gallons (from $7.00 to $8.00 per 1,000). - Sewer fund: budgeted at $856,400; trustees approved a rate increase of $0.50 per 1,000 gallons (from $13.50 to $14.00 per 1,000). - Grant offsets: the board noted $148,000 in zoning‑code grant revenue and $49,000 for an Asher Dam grant that offset matching expenses in the general fund. - Other line items mentioned: annual audit $10,000, new phone system $12,000, fire department equipment (figure discussed in meeting record), placeholder $50,000 for micro‑transit planning, mini‑park drainage match $20,000, and increases in retirement and insurance costs (retirement increases referenced at roughly $85,368 in the record).

Board action and voting

The board voted to open and then close the public hearing on the budget after hearing no comments. The trustees then voted to adopt the 2025–26 general budget, the water budget (including the $1/1,000‑gallons increase) and the sewer budget (including the $0.50/1,000 increase). Board members adopted each motion by voice vote; roll‑call tallies were not read into the public transcript.

Other formal actions at the meeting

- Treasurer’s report and payment of vouchers: Trustees approved payment of vouchers and accepted the treasurer’s report for the period ending March 31, which listed general, water and sewer fund balances and presented several line items for payment. - Water‑bill adjustment: The board voted to forgive $300 of a newly opened account’s unusually large opening bill, reducing the customer’s balance from $665.89 to $285.89. - Cold‑climate heat‑pump system: The trustees awarded a purchase/installation agreement to Sigma Tremblay for approximately $29,000 to replace oil heating and provide cooling at the wastewater treatment plant office. The project will use $10,000 remaining from a NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities grant and anticipate a Central Hudson rebate of about $4,800, leaving the village’s net cost estimated at roughly $14,200. - Fire tanker award: The board accepted a bid from Rosenbauer for a new fire tanker (bid figure recorded in the meeting transcript); the board discussed chassis payment timing and noted the manufacturer’s production queue would create a later invoice for the chassis portion of the cost. Trustees accepted the bid and authorized the purchase process to proceed. - Police radios and HVAC bids: Trustees approved bids for police radios on recommendation of Sergeant Dunn, declined the HVAC quotes presented and directed staff to re‑solicit sealed bids for the HVAC and water‑tank heater items with a 30‑day bidding window. - Comprehensive plan implementation committee (CPIC): By resolution the board created a standing Comp Plan Implementation Committee (7–9 members, staggered terms) to implement the village comprehensive plan, folded the existing zoning advisory work into the new body and dissolved the previous comprehensive plan committee. The resolution follows Department of State grant requirements for composition and will give preference to village residents while allowing owners/operators of businesses with frontage in the village center to serve. - Complete Streets working group: Trustees created a short‑term Complete Streets working group (to be nested under CPIC later) to produce a pathway toward implementation needed for the village’s Climate Smart Communities certification process, with a July 11 deadline for initial materials. - Town‑village compost intermunicipal agreement (IMA): The board approved an IMA to allow town residents to use the village’s compost program; trustees said the program currently operates at no net cost to the village because it is grant funded and the IMA can be revisited if costs change. - Letter of support for Interact Club: Trustees approved a letter in support of a Rotary Interact Club grant application for water‑quality testing on the Landsman Kill and pollinator plantings at village parks.

Discussion and context

Trustees and staff repeatedly referenced ongoing capital needs: a wastewater‑treatment plant upgrade for which the board has a grant and a low‑interest loan in place (the board said it hopes to convert the loan to grant funding if possible); storm‑drainage projects identified in a drainage study; and road rebuilding. Trustee Lydia and others emphasized caution about rate and fee increases because some households are financially vulnerable. The board said the gross‑receipts utilities tax remains under discussion but is not included in this budget.

Chief Brian Knapp, speaking for the Rhinebeck Fire Department, described the tanker specification process and the long production queue for chassis; he said department personnel collectively spent “about 40 hours” designing a tanker that would fit the station and meet operational needs.

Implementation and next steps

- The CPIC appointments will be made by the board; staff will bring candidate names for consideration. The Complete Streets working group will begin work immediately to meet the July 11 Climate Smart Communities timeline. - Staff will reissue sealed bids for HVAC and water‑tank heater equipment and proceed with the Rosenbauer tanker procurement process according to the vendor’s production schedule.

Ending

Trustees closed the meeting after conducting committee reports and routine business; the village clerk noted the clerk’s office holds meeting correspondence and records. The village clerk Martina McClain was recognized during the meeting for attaining Registered Municipal Clerk certification from the New York State Association of City and Village Clerks.