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FICTION: Water rate increases are a unnecessary burden and represent wasteful spending. FACT: The real burden is unsafe and unreliable utilities. Years of neglect have left our water and sewer systems failing, which forces costly emergency repairs. Investing in Safe, Reliable Water: Water-rate adjustments will fund critical infrastructure improvements, including removing lead service lines. This will ensure safe drinking water and prevent expensive emergency failures. Breaking the Cycle of Poor Planning: Years ago, the Village paid for a water rate study but then ignored it. If they had acted on the findings, rate increases could have been gradual. Instead, they chose to delay action. We refuse to make the same mistake. A Mandate for Safety: The Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that all lead supply lines be replaced by 2040. By implementing this rate increase, the Village of Westchester will replace these lines, saving residents thousands of dollars in costs. A Smarter Approach for the Future: We are conducting a professional water and sewer rate study and collaborating with funding and loan specialists to create a fair and sustainable plan. This will help prevent future financial shocks and ensure long-term stability. We are also seeking a Finance Director to strengthen long-term forecasting and shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one. Restricted Funds, Not Wasteful Spending: By law, water and sewer funds can only be used for water and sewer expenses. These funds are not discretionary; they are allocated directly to infrastructure repairs, system upgrades, and mandated safety improvements. What’s actually wasteful? Delaying necessary upgrades, ignoring expert recommendations, and leaving residents with failing infrastructure and rising repair costs. We are making responsible, forward-thinking investments to protect Westchester’s future. Delaying these essential investments only exacerbates the problem and increases costs in the long run. These issues will not disappear by ignoring them—we've learned this lesson already. Why repeat the same mistake? Let’s keep moving forward.