The cost to flush your toilet could soon increase.
The Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Advisory Committee plans to discuss a possible sewer rate increase at a public meeting Thursday night.
The county has proposed an increase that is estimated to add $1.64 per month for the average ratepayerโs bill.
The average customer currently pays $40.81 per month in sewer services, according to the county.
โThe fee is calculated based on the projected sewer revenues, projected sewer operating expenditures, projected sewer capital projects for the next four years, and the projected sewer debt service payments,โ Pima County Finance and Risk Management Director Tom Burke said in an email.
Rate increases also are proposed for the following two years, at 4 percent each year, which would bring the average monthly bill to $45.91.
Wastewater is a county enterprise fund, which means taxes donโt fund department operations. The departmentโs funding comes from ratepayersโ bills.
County documents show the last change to sewer fees occurred in 2013. At that time the average ratepayerโs bill was $37.48, increasing to the current level with the change.
Rate increases have occurred almost annually over the past decade, county documents show. The average residential sewer bill was $15.16 in fiscal 2005.
The public meeting will be held at the Water and Energy Sustainability Center, 2955 W. Calle Agua Nueva.
The meeting includes a presentation on the proposed 2015 Financial Plan and a question-and-answer portion.
Free shuttle service will be provided from the Pima County Public Works downtown office to the meeting location. The shuttle leaves at 5:30 p.m. from the Public Works loading dock at 201 N. Stone Ave., at the north side of the building.
The shuttle will bring people back after the conclusion of the meeting about 8 p.m.
A second meeting is planed for Thursday, Feb. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in the Pima County Administration Building, 130 W. Congress Street, in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room.
The supervisors ultimately must approve any change in rates. Supervisors plan to vote on a final proposal on March 10.
The county will accept written comments on the proposal sent to Tom Burke, Pima County Finance and Risk Management Department, 130 W. Congress, 10th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701 or online at under the โSend Department Feedbackโ link at webcms.pima.gov/government/finance_and_risk_management
