A proposed rate increase for Pima Countyβs sewer service was voted down at Mondayβs Board of Supervisors meeting.
After a discussion about increasing operations and maintenance costs and debt repayment, the board voted 3-2 to deny the proposed rate increase of three percent.
Supervisors Sharon Bronson, Ray Carroll and Ally Miller voted to deny the increased rate. Supervisors Richard Elias and RamΓ³n Valadez voted in favor of the increase.
βI cannot continue to listen to this rhetoric that our costs are too high,β Miller said.
Miller questioned Pima County officials on the projected increase in operations and maintenance costs, which could swell from $83.9 million to more than $98 million annually by 2019, especially since the county has spent more than $600 million over several years on system upgrades and improvements.
County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said the increased costs were projections based electricity and other utility costs.
Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department Director Jackson Jenkins said federal regulations also add to the costs.
βYes, we have state of the art,β Jackson said, βbut weβre also treating water to a much higher standard.β
He said wastewater also spends more on chemicals used in the treatment process, adding about $1 million to costs.
The increase the board rejected would have raised the average residential customerβs rate three percent, or about $3 per month.
The average monthly rate for residential customers is about $40. The statewide average for residential customers is $34.95, according to a 2014 report compiled for the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona.
Also, the board unanimously rejected a proposal to increase sewer connection fees.
The new fee would have raised the residential connection cost to $4,188 from $4,066.
Tax levy set
In a separate matter, supervisors voted to approve the fiscal 2016 tax rate and collection amounts.
Carroll cast the sole votes in opposition to setting the levy.
βIn keeping with my votes since the beginning of my career, I steadfastly oppose,β Carroll said after the meeting.
The vote set property tax rates for the current fiscal year.
The primary property tax rate was set at $4.3877 per $100 of assessed property value.
The secondary rate was set at 70 cents, library district rate at 51.5 cents, flood control district at 31.3 cents and the statewide fire district assistance tax .0467 cents.
The total rate is set at $5.9632, per $100 assessed value.
The new rate represents a 20-cent total rate increase over last year. Homeowners with a property value of $152,000, the regional average, would pay $906 per year in total property taxes.
Thatβs an increase of about $30 per year for a property of the same value. The total levy for this fiscal year will be $452.2 million.
Miller and Carroll both voted against authorizing delivery of the Pima County tax statements.
