The village of Fredonia has approved a 2026-27 budget with a 4% tax hike and a raise in the water users’ fee.

The board voted, 4-0, on both the budget and a local law required to enact the water fee increase. The same 4-0 vote overrode the state’s cap of 2% on property tax raises. Trustee LeeAnn Lazarony did not attend the meeting.

The increase in the water “base rate” is $10 per quarter, making it $40 instead of $30. Trustee Jon Espersen insisted that the additional revenue from the raise go into a water project revenue, and not the village general fund. The trustees voted to approve that requirement.

The current trustees had little to say about the current budget, but former Trustee James Lynden continued his criticism.

Lynden asked trustees, “Did you attempt to lower taxes at all before this vote?” Trustee Paul Wandel replied, “We did not have another meeting.”

“Is there a reason you did not attempt it?” asked Lynden.

“No,” replied Wandel.

Lynden continued, “It is very important to stay within the 2% tax cap, and once again, you’re over it.” The 4% hike comes on the heels of a 54% tax increase in the 2025-26 budget.

Lynden went on to inquire about the village’s bottom line. “Are you ending this year in the hole? How are you paying your bills? Are you borrowing more money again? Last year, you borrowed $800,000 that had to be paid back by July with tax dollars you brought in as revenue. Are you going to do that again — because you’re clearly out of money.”

He predicted that “once again, you’re going to be in a very bad place again next year, and have to raise taxes beyond the tax cap, if you stay on the same path you’ve stayed on this year.”

“It’s not anticipated we’re going to have to do that,” Espersen replied.

Lynden said it looked to him like the village was going to be $1 million short heading into the new fiscal year. Treasurer Erlyssa LeBeau acknowledged that and blamed “expenses.”

Lynden continued to press if the village would have to borrow money again, and LeBeau said it would not.