The Village Utility Commission approved the 2026 water utility budget, including a budgeted figure of $2,265,000 for rehabilitation of Well 2 and planning funds for water-main looping between Gaston Road and the TT area. The budget also includes equipment purchases, a replacement pickup and an F-550 dump truck entry, and proposals to add security cameras and key-fob access at Wells 3 and 4.

Staff told commissioners the village will pursue a conventional rate case study in 2026 to support a 2026–2027 implementation of any rate adjustments. The Well 2 rehabilitation figure of $2,265,000 includes design and contingency elements, staff said, and the village has received Public Service Commission approval for the Well 2 project as referenced in the packet. The Gaston water-main looping was budgeted at $1,700,000 to create a loop from Gaston north to the TT area and includes planned wetland delineation and geotechnical borings before design proceeds.

For security at critical water sites, staff proposed installing cameras and key-fob access at Wells 3 and 4. The presentation listed an upfront infrastructure cost of about $6,500 with ongoing annual licensing costs near $2,500 to integrate into the village security system. Staff described those measures as important for asset protection but noted the cameras would add a small rate impact in 2027 and could be considered for deferral to reduce future rate pressure.

On funding, staff said equipment purchases and the security system for Wells 3 and 4 are proposed to be cash-funded; by contrast, the Well 2 rehabilitation and the proposed water-loop main improvements would be included in an overall borrowing package. Commissioners voted to approve the 2026 water utility budget by voice vote after a motion and a second.

Why it matters: the budget funds a major well rehabilitation, further planning for water-main upsizing on Main Street and Ollie Street, and security upgrades to protect critical water infrastructure; some planned projects will affect future rates and financing needs.

Staff also outlined engineering work for projects planned for 2026 and 2027: Ollie Street design work (about $110,000) for upsizing mains and preliminary engineering for Main Street upsizing to address aging 6-inch mains. Well 2 improvements were expected to go to bid this fall, with the well-hole rehabilitation to be completed in-house by village staff in coordination with contractors.