New Flood Projects Require New Funding Stream

by Kathy Savolt -

At the July 13, 2026 work session of the Board of Trustees (BOT), the plan to assess a new flood mitigation and storm sewer fee advanced.  The BOT, with an almost-final draft of a proposed local law (see HERE), agreed to schedule a Public Hearing on the matter at their next meeting on August 10^th.  If things go according to plan, the Public Hearing will open on September 8^th.

Need for New Funding

During the discussion, the BOT and staff mentioned several factors that require or will require funding in the near future.  First is the current municipal separate storm sewer system, commonly called the MS4.  Separate from the sanitary sewer system, for which a fee already exists, the MS4 captures the flow of storm water with storm drains and catch basins which then move the water to nearby open waterways through underground pipes.  Eventually, all the water flows into Long Island Sound.  This system has been historically underfunded and has recently required increasing repairs as well as expansion in flood-prone areas.

The second reason is flood mitigation.  With multiple projects in the works, the Village will be required to either match certain grant-funded projects or borrow money to fund larger projects.  Both the required matches and debt service on any borrowing will mean new costs for the Village.  Additionally, these projects will require maintenance when completed and will add new expenses.

How to Fund – Tax Increase or Fee?

The Village has two options to increase the revenue needed.  The BOT can increase property taxes or levy a fee based on water usage.  The staff recommended a fee assessment as the most equitable way to collect the funds.  A proposed fee based on water consumption will be added to every customer’s water bill.  As described in the draft law, it was determined “that municipal water consumption constitutes a fair, equitable, and rational approximation on the MS4 system.”  This fee will be assessed on all Westchester Joint Works customers, unlike property taxes, which exclude some property owners.

Amount to Be Determined

As previously reported (see HERE), Village Manager Kathleen Gill estimates the need to be $500,000 per year.  At the work session, staff reported that a 1% fee will yield about $100,000.  If the estimated need of $500K is accurate, the fee could be as high as 5% of the water consumption portion of the water bill.

Uses of the Funds

Referencing the previous problems with the sanitary sewer fee which was used for management salaries, the BOT repeatedly requested the staff to be very explicit how the funds will be used and the current draft of the proposed law includes maintenance, repair and improvements to the MS4 and flood mitigation.  A separate fund will be established to segregate the revenue and expenses.

The fee is expected to begin on October 1, 2026.