As Gilbert moves into 2026, a mix of fiscal pressures, leadership transitions and long-planned community investments are poised to dominate public discussion.
The Gilbert Independent has identified five storylines likely to define the year ahead, touching nearly every corner of town life.
Water utility rates under scrutiny
Gilbert Town Council is expected to spend much of 2026 grappling with water utility rates as infrastructure needs, long-term supply planning and regional water challenges converge. Council already has agreed to consider another water rate hike in February that could be as high as 25% and would take effect in April. Rate adjustments and policy decisions will test how the town balances affordability for residents and businesses with the cost of maintaining and expanding a reliable water system.
New superintendents for Gilbert, Chandler schools
Two of the East Valley’s largest districts are preparing for leadership changes as Shane McCord at Gilbert Public Schools and Frank Narducci at Chandler Unified School District will retire June 30. Both districts are in the process of selecting new superintendents, decisions that will shape academic priorities, budgeting and community relations for years to come. The hires will come as districts continue to navigate enrollment trends, staffing challenges and evolving state education policies.
Town manager selection, election-year shakeup
Leadership change will not be limited to schools. Gilbert is expected to name a permanent town manager in 2026, setting the administrative tone for the next phase of the town’s growth, which is heading toward build-out in the next five to seven years. At the same time, voters will fill four seats in the November election (three incumbents are running), potentially reshaping the makeup and priorities of the Town Council and influencing decisions on development, infrastructure and public services.
Higley schools face budget crossroads
The Higley Unified School District will confront a critical financial moment as its maintenance and operations override continues to wind down. How the district addresses programming, staffing and classroom resources as well as employee salaries amid tightening revenues is expected to draw close attention from parents, educators and taxpayers throughout the year.
Victims advocacy center opens doors
A long-anticipated community resource is set to open in the fall with the debut of Gilbert’s victims advocacy center. The facility is designed to centralize services for victims of crime, offering support, coordination and a more trauma-informed approach. Its opening will mark a significant expansion of the town’s public safety and social service infrastructure.
Together, these five stories reflect a year of transition for Gilbert — one defined by tough financial choices, new leadership and investments aimed at shaping the town’s future well beyond 2026.
Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines. Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on X.
Meet Tom Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.
Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.
Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism.
Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.
Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).
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