The village of Voorheesville’s budget for next year is down but residents will see an increase in their water bills.

The Voorheesville School Board approved a $26 million spending plan for the 2020-21 school year, which comes with a 3.14-percent levy increase — if voters approve it. 

Voorheesville’s proposed budget for 2020-21 is down $325,000 from this year.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s superintendent, Timothy Mundell, told The Enterprise this week that, although there is concern about reductions in state aid, he anticipates a “flat, or reduced” tax levy and a budget proposal that is lower than last year’s. 

A new state law governing renewable-energy projects was adopted as part of this year’s budget. 

Altamont’s proposed budget for next year is up about 3 percent over this year. 

Soon after Westerlo authorized the use of NYCLASS as an investment vehicle, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education followed suit, and the towns of Knox and Berne have expressed interest in the mutual fund. So what is it? 

Voorheesville schools are in a better financial position going into the 2020-21 budget season than they were around this time last year. 

With an increase of half of a percent in state Foundation Aid for next year and a limit of $1.6 million more to be raised from taxes, the Guilderland schools are hoping to be able to maintain the programs and staff they have with this year’s $102 million budget.

Westerlo’s tax levy for 2020 is $1,351,230 —a mere hundred dollars beneath the tax-levy limit of $1,351,336.22