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Board approves WPCA FY26-27 budget; staff cite $22.2M revenue projection and consent order costs
Summary
The Water Pollution Control Authority operating budget was approved; WPCA staff projected $22,215,000 in revenues for the coming year and noted utility costs and a consent order with Connecticut DEEP as major expense drivers.
The Board of Estimate and Taxation approved the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) FY26-27 operating budget at its May 7 special meeting.
Vanessa, representing WPCA, told the board the authority operates as an enterprise fund supported by sewer fees, interlocal agreements and miscellaneous charges. "For this coming year, we're projecting $22,215,000," she said, and described that revenue as conservative. Vanessa outlined major expense categories: personnel and benefits, a Veolia operations and maintenance contract (year seven of a 10‑year agreement), high electric utility costs and other contractual services.
Vanessa said WPCA is in a consent order with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and has set aside placeholders in its financial model to cover probable compliance costs. When asked about outstanding debt, staff said they would provide the exact outstanding balance before the end of the meeting.
Board members asked clarifying questions about revenue sources and reserves. Vanessa said the WPCA has healthy reserves and is not adding to the replacement reserve in this budget year to avoid increasing the fee burden on ratepayers.
The board approved the WPCA operating budget by voice vote with no opposing votes recorded in the transcript.
