Tucson Water will be hosting a series of public meetings to discuss increases to water rates and fees proposed for the next four fiscal years.
If approved by the City Council, the new rates would become effective in July.
The meetings, which will includes a short presentation at the beginning, will be held:
- Thursday, March 29, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at El Pueblo Activity Center, 101 W. Irvington Road.
- Thursday, April 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Miller-Golf Links Library, 9640 E. Golf Links Road.
- Tuesday, April 10, from 5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m. at the Tucson Parks and Recreation Building, Mesquite Room, 900 S. Randolph Way.
Also, a public hearing is scheduled for May 22 at the City Council meeting.
The water utility has proposed several plans to increase rates and fees. The plan recommended for approval would increase water rates by 6.9 percent for single-family residential customers, the largest customer base for Tucson Water, next fiscal year, with smaller planned increases the following three years.
The proposal also includes increases in the base rates and an increase in the cost of reclaimed water. Other classes of water users, such as commercial, industrial and multi-family, would also see rate increases under this plan.
If the plan is adopted by the council after the public hearing, the average customer using about 6,000 gallons a month will see an increase of about $2.69 per month on their water bill, or a monthly bill averaging $37.17, according to the city.
The utility says the rate increases are needed to allow it to increase water sales revenues during the next five fiscal years. This financial plan is needed, Tucson Water says, to allow the utility to ensure water system reliability, capital improvements, purchase the cityβs allotment of Central Arizona Project water and provide for future operations.
