Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
October 27, 2025
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Chairman DeLia presided, and Amy Passacantando took the minutes.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call:
Board Members Present: Ronald Beach, Dennis Bova, Bruce Brodsky, Deborah Burke, Elis DeLia, Dale Dodge, Mark Ford, Richard Karam, Eugene Santa-Croce III and Jef Saunders
Absent: Vincent Coyne, and Frank Meola,
Also Present in Boardroom: Jim Korfonta, Phil Tangorra, Dan Faldzinski, Anne Milograno, Jim Mack, Sandra Dare, and Ken Bobrow Esq.
Approval of the September 15, 2025 Minutes:
Motion made by Mr. Ford to approve the Minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Saunders
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Approval of Water Rates for Fiscal Year 2026
MVWA is required to have a public rate hearing which was held October 20, 2025. Mr. Korfonta stated that MVWA also is required by legislation to hire a rate consultant to review our rates and budget for the next year to make sure the rates will generate the required revenue to cover the expenses. This rate certification letter states that the 2% rate increase is enough to cover the expenses.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the Resolution as presented. Seconded by: Mr. Beach
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Resolution: Approval of the 2026 Budget
Mr. Korfonta handed out a memo of the proposed 2026 budget along with a detailed budget report. These were also handed out at the budget workshop on September 15, 2025. Mr. Korfonta stated that a couple of numbers changed due to the spreadsheet change which reduced the cash carried forward.
Mr. Bova said that he had spoken to Mr. Korfonta regarding the budget and ways to save money for MVWA. Ex. the CNY Open House public awareness episodes could be canceled and maybe have videos on our website instead.
Mr. Korfonta said that MVWA is looking to transition the public awareness videos to possibly social media and/or our website and television.
Mr. Tangorra stated that programmatically this will be a holistic look for public awareness and education going forward. It may or may not include CNY Open House, but will have different aspects to it such as what our working environment is like, our infrastructure challenges, workforce challenges etc. Getting the message out to our customers.
Mr. Korfonta said that this is probably the tightest budget MVWA has had in years.
Motion made by Mr. Karam to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Resolution and MOU: Clarification of Language in the MEA Contract
The language in Article VIII Section (A) (3) is unclear and conflicting in relation to applicability, and the Mohawk Valley Water Authority and the Management Employees’ Association (“MEA”) would like to amend the language for purposes of clarification. The MEA and MVWA desire to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding realizing the above.
Motion made by Ms. Burke to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Saunders
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Resolution: Award of Contract for Engineering Services to Complete Additional Hydraulic Modeling
The Mohawk Valley Water Authority (MVWA) is required to complete engineering assessments of their New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulated reservoir dams every 10 years; and Ramboll Engineers was retained by the MVWA in 2025 to complete the required Engineering Assessments for Deerfield Reservoir #6 and Southern Reservoirs #2, #4 and #5 which identified deficiencies for Southern Reservoirs #2 and #4; and the MVWA requires assistance from Engineering Consultants to complete additional hydraulic modeling to evaluate modifications that can be employed to correct the deficiencies; and a change order proposal was received by Ramboll Engineers of Utica, New York to provide the base scope of requested consulting services for a lump sum fee of $24,240.
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Beach
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Committee Reports:
August and September Finance Reports
Mr. Korfonta said that the water sales are $1.3 million more than the prior year and $428 thousand more than our budget. Consumption is almost 1% more than the prior year, which is good. Cash flow is about $700K to the positive for September.
Mr. Brodsky spoke about the fiscal report, when money is received and disbursed. He talked about specific items and the large changes and what causes them, he encouraged others to ask questions. Mr. Brodsky also stated that MVWA has a very detailed fiscal report and is very transparent. He is proud to be on the Board of Directors and that the staff of MVWA is very good and detailed. The full conversation can be found on our website at www.mvwa.us.
Approval of 3rd Quarter Investment Statement:
Mr. Korfonta stated that Public Authorities Law requires MVWA to provide the Board with a quarterly statement showing the balance of our investments with any earnings YTD on those investments and any expenses incurred. The Budgeted interest income is $840K for the year and MVWA is currently at $953K. Investments are doing well. MVWA has had to set aside a portion of earnings for the arbitrage.
Motion made by Mr. Karam to approve the Investment Statement. Seconded by: Mr. Ford
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Executive Director’s Report:
None
Old Business:
Mr. Brodsky asked how the water level is at the Hinckley Reservoir. Mr. Tangorra stated that the reservoir is currently maintaining its level and is not receding at this time. There will be a call on Thursday with the Canal, DOH, DEC etc.
New Business:
None
Executive Session:
None
The meeting was adjourned at 5:25pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Passacantando, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority