Village of Lewiston working toward new budget

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

Trustees in the Village of Lewiston held a special meeting Monday to review the tentative budget for 2026-27. Treasurer Stephanie Longwell presented a line-by-line breakdown of projected expenses and income for the next fiscal year, which begins June 1.

Tax rate

•The tax rate is expected to increase by 24 cents, from $8.354858 to $8.594858 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Under this amount, a homeowner with a $100,000 property would pay an extra $24.

Budget

•The total estimated budget of $5,304,407 is an increase of $34,435 from the current 2025-26 fiscal year. By contrast, the present plan called for a $5,269,972 budget, with a decrease of $174,119.

Budget highlights include:

Expenses

√ The general fund is $4,315,409, an increase of $16,845. (By contrast, 2025-26: $4,298,564, a decrease of $58,307.)

√ The water fund is $468,047, an increase of $875. (2025-26: $467,222, a decrease of $92,571.)

√ The sewer fund is $520,951, an increase of $16,765. (2025-26: $504,186, a decrease of $23,241.)

•Water and sewer rates

√ The water rate remains the same, at $4.25 per 100 cubic feet of usage.

√ The sewer rate is also flat, at $4.79 per 100 cubic feet of usage.

•Total debt payments

Total debt payments are now $277,855.64.

•Areas where funding was reduced include:

√ The Red Brick Municipal Building’s new gymnasium bathroom project is now complete and removed from the budget.

√ The grants line in the budget was cut from $100,000 to $50,000. This is the share the village would have to pay for any grants received.

Revenue

Income highlights include:

√ The total revenue stream is $4,783,474, an increase of $99,335. By contrast, the current budget called for $4,684,139, an increase of $28,817.

Revenue includes:

√ Total general revenue is $3,806,241, an increase of $93,510. (2025-26: $3,712,731, an increase of $110,535.)

√ $468,047 in water fees, an increase of $825. (2025-26: $467,222 in water fees, a decrease of $91,718.)

√ $509,186 in sewer fees, an increase of $5,000. (2025-26: $504,186 in sewer fees, an increase of $10,000.)

√ With the tax rate increasing to $8.594858 per $1,000 of valuation, real property taxes would net $1,393,770 – an increase of $39,037 over this fiscal year’s sum.

With expected revenue conservatively set less than anticipated expenses, $520,933 in appropriated fund balance would be required to square the budget.

Last year, trustees budgeted $585,833 in appropriated fund balance.

However, “As of right now, we have not had to dip into that,” Longwell said after the meeting. “We have brought in more revenue than expense.”

Trustees spent about 90 minutes discussing the budget on Monday. They were joined by Department of Public Works Superintendent Anthony Mang and Recreation Director Brendan McDermott, who presented their respective section’s needs for consideration.

Speaking of the budget, Mayor Anne Welch said, “I think (Longwell) did a great job on it. She’s juggled a lot, up and down, and made it work; kept it tight. No fluff.”

The Village Board opted to cancel two previously scheduled budget meetings, which had been set for Mondays, March 30 and April 6. They will vote on the budget at the regular April 6 session.

Residents are invited to attend that 6 p.m. meeting and speak on the budget.