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Village of Fishkill hires consultant to review water and sewer rates, considers per-unit billing for apartments
Summary
The Village of Fishkill authorized a $2,500 retainer for consultant Michael Hoyt to analyze water and sewer rates and billing structures. Officials discussed replacing aging meters (about $300 each) and a draft resolution to charge multifamily units per dwelling, which was tabled for review.
The Village of Fishkill board voted to retain water-rate consultant Michael Hoyt to review the village’s water and sewer rates and recommend billing changes.
The board approved an initial $2,500 retainer to fund a rate analysis and asked staff to review Hoyt’s written materials at the next meeting. Chair (the meeting’s presiding official) said the consultant will examine current revenue needs tied to recent capital work including a sewer project and well-field repairs.
The move follows a detailed discussion from the water department about rising operation costs. The water department official said sludge hauling, chemicals and electric bills have roughly doubled and that delayed capital work — including pump testing that flagged problems at wells 11 and 5 — is increasing pressure on rates.
Officials also discussed replacing aging meters with cellular-enabled units that transmit reads remotely. The water official said the village has installed roughly 300 new meters so far and estimated about 1,200 total meters in the system; each replacement head was priced at about $300. Board members asked staff to phase purchases because of budget constraints and noted battery warranties and stock considerations.
A draft resolution to adopt per-unit base water and sewer charges for multifamily buildings — calculated as the per-unit base rate multiplied by the number of dwelling units, with a notice period and an appeal verification process for property owners — was presented. Board members requested time to review the draft and agreed to table action until the next meeting so the consultant’s analysis can inform any policy change.
The board unanimously approved the consultant retainer by voice vote. The water department official said Hoyt estimated an hourly rate near $175 and will work with village staff to develop options and a recommended path forward.
The board instructed staff to provide the consultant’s materials and to revisit the draft resolution at the next meeting.
