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Rhinebeck board adopts 2026–27 budget, raises sewer rate
Summary
The Village of Rhinebeck board on April 14 approved the 2026–27 budget, including appropriations for general, water and sewer funds and a sewer rate increase, after public commenters urged clearer line‑item comparisons and trend columns in public materials.
The Village of Rhinebeck Board of Trustees adopted the fiscal 2026–27 budget at its April 14 meeting, approving appropriations for the general, water and sewer funds and a change to the sewer billing rate.
Mayor Bass presented the board's tentative budget and called forward Karen Mclofflin, the village CFO, to summarize revenues and capital projects. McLofflin said the board had relied on grant and low‑interest bond financing for a water‑plant upgrade and has allocated $40,000 in short‑term funding while the project transitions to long‑term financing arrangements. She said the board used last year’s revenues for conservative revenue projections and noted the state budget delay could affect some revenue lines.
Public commenters urged better public disclosure and comparative line items showing prior‑year adopted, year‑to‑date and tentative columns. Pat Evans asked that the public materials show the sequence of requested, first/second review and tentative versions; Donna Donald Warner asked the board to break out personnel and provide multi‑year trend columns to help residents judge increases and vulnerabilities. Trustees acknowledged the requests and said staff would work to provide clearer comparative information in future materials.
The resolution read into the record states the fiscal year runs June 1, 2026–May 31, 2027. The resolution published required salaries (mayor $25,000; trustees $12,000) and listed fund appropriations shown in the tentative budget; the water appropriation and the sewer appropriation were read as part of the resolution. The board also specified that the water and sewer rate schedules become effective with July billings; the single‑family minimum water charge remains at $8 per thousand gallons and the sewer rate was adjusted as published in the resolution.
Trustees conducted a roll call and approved the resolution. The board and staff noted the village will monitor any state‑level changes that could affect aid and explained they are assuming hold‑harmless treatment where possible.
The board directed staff to file required records in accordance with applicable law and to incorporate clearer comparison columns and personnel breakout in future public budget materials.
