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Niskayuna adopts six‑month utility rates after heated public hearing on new design
Summary
After a public hearing with extended resident testimony, the Town Board adopted revised utility rates effective July 1 for a six‑month billing period; the supervisor said the rates reflect the current year’s budget and the decision ends prior revenue‑replacement practices.
The Niskayuna Town Board voted on June 25 to adopt revised water and sewer utility rates that will apply for a six‑month billing period beginning July 1.
The decision followed a public hearing in which residents questioned why the town moved from an earlier Rafelis rate design reviewed in September 2025 to the version released this month. Joseph Jakeel — who identified himself during public comment — told the board that under prior proposed designs his six‑month bill would have been about $5 lower, but the newly posted design increases his bill by about $50 for the same usage. He said the change produced a 15% increase for an average user in sewer district 6 and a 26% increase for a typical user in sewer district 1.
Supervisor Cassidy Dorian said the change was not a redesign of the rate model but a change in the revenue base: "What I did was I made the decision to go back to our original budget that was passed and instead of putting out rates for the six‑month period that was based on the prior year budget, I did it on this year's budget." She said the town had been using federal relief and one‑time sources to cover operations and that moving to current‑year budgeting was necessary to stop borrowing for routine expenses.
Board members and staff also pointed residents toward operational measures that can reduce bills (second meters for irrigation, leak detection guidance) and said detailed budget line‑by‑line sessions will be available during the upcoming budget process. The board voted on a resolution adopting the rates; the clerk recorded roll‑call 'yes' votes from the members present.
What happens next: The six‑month period runs July 1–Dec. 31; bills under the new structure will be generated in the town's regular billing cycle (the next mailed bills will reflect prior rates). The board invited residents to budget sessions for water and sewer to review line items and to contact the water department for leak checks and meter assistance.
