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Mount Kisco residents object to proposed 13.75% water-rate hike at budget hearing
Summary
At a public hearing on the tentative FY2026–27 budget, multiple residents objected to a proposed 13.75% water-rate increase, raised concerns about unfiltered water from Leonard Park wells and urged the Board to consider alternatives; the hearing was adjourned to April 20 for further review.
Mount Kisco residents pressed the Village Board on April 6 over a proposed 13.75% increase in water rates included in the tentative FY2026–27 budget, saying successive hikes and water-quality problems are harming households.
At the public hearing, Theresa Flora of Spring Street told the Board she opposed the rate increase and warned that a 7% increase last year followed by a near-14% proposal this year, plus a 5% sewer increase, impose a heavy burden on residents. "I just want to object to the massive water rate increase of 13.75% for this year," Flora said, and noted household filters have required more frequent replacement when unfiltered water is blended into the supply.
Louis Terlizzi said residents felt the budget relied on "accounting gimmicks" and questioned why Leonard Park wells, historically used only as supplemental sources, are now running year-round. He asked whether the $30 million filtration plant has been paid off and whether the Village has a long-term plan for sourcing and filtering water.
Mayor J. Michael Cindrich said he would ask Village Manager Edward Brancati to respond directly to residents about the increase. "I will ask Mr. Brancati to speak to you directly on the water rate increase," the mayor said. Brancati and trustees noted the Board must approve any rate change and that alternatives include filtering the Leonard Park wells or finding another water source; Cindrich said both options carry trade-offs.
John Rhodes, a resident who reviewed the budget, raised a separate concern that grant expirations are reducing funding for drug- and alcohol-treatment services and urged the Board to prioritize funding or pursue grants to maintain those supports.
After public testimony and a short Board discussion about parking rates and budget assumptions, the Board voted to adjourn the budget public hearing to its next meeting on April 20, 2026 so staff can provide additional information and residents can offer further comment.
What happens next: The Board will receive additional budget documentation before the April 20 meeting, and village staff indicated they will follow up with residents about water-rate rationale and potential water-quality testing or source changes. No rate was adopted at the April 6 meeting.
