Gilbert Town Council has begun the process to raise water, waste and recycling rates, approving a notice of intent that allows potential water increases of up to 25%t and smaller increases to environmental services.
Under the notice of intent, council will consider two options for water rate increases. One option would raise water rates by 25% beginning in 2026. A second option would phase in the increase with a 14% increase in 2026 followed by another 14% increase in 2027.
Council is expected to choose between those options after additional outreach and a public hearing Feb. 17.
For environmental services, Solid Waste and Recycling Manager Isaias Garcia Romero outlined more modest increases. Residential solid waste and recycling rates would rise by about 2%, translating to roughly 55 cents per month for a standard household.
Commercial solid waste customers would see larger increases, with base rates rising by about 13%, depending on service level.
The council’s action did not approve any specific rate increase. Instead, it authorized publication of a legally required notice of intent, starting a statutory waiting period that includes public outreach and a future public hearing before council considers final adoption.
Town Manager Patrick Banger told council that the enterprise funds that support water, wastewater, solid waste and recycling must be self-supporting and funded through user rates rather than tax dollars, and that rising costs across multiple areas are driving the proposed increases.
“These water rate increases are difficult, especially as household costs continue to rise across the board,” Water Manager Rebecca Hamel said. “We recognize the real impact this has on families and businesses in our community.”
Hamel said the town has an obligation to maintain reliable water service despite worsening drought conditions and growing uncertainty surrounding the Colorado River.
“There’s an expectation that we all share that water will always be there when we need it,” Hamel said. “The town has an unwavering commitment to provide clean, safe, dependable water so our community can continue to enjoy the quality of life that we’re used to.”
Staff identified three primary pressures on the water fund: rising water resource costs, major infrastructure investments and increasing operational expenses.
Hamel told council that Colorado River water now accounts for a significantly larger share of the water fund budget as supplies shrink and prices rise.
“What all of this news about the Colorado River really means is that our access to water is getting much more expensive,” Hamel said.
Major capital projects, including the reconstruction of the North Water Treatment Plant and expansion of the town’s well program, were also cited as long-term drivers of higher costs.
Hamel said the treatment plant project alone is expected to supply most of Gilbert’s water once complete.
“The North Water Treatment Plant isn’t just a construction project,” Hamel said. “It’s a 50-year investment in Gilbert’s future that will serve our children and our grandchildren.”
On the environmental services side, Garcia Romero described increasing costs tied to vehicle replacements, landfill disposal fees and volatility in recycling markets.
Garcia Romero told council that the cost of refuse trucks has risen sharply in recent years, while landfill tipping fees, maintenance expenses and fuel costs have continued to climb.
“These are not one-time spikes,” Garcia Romero said. “They are permanent changes to the cost of providing service.”
Staff said proposed environmental services rate increases are intended to stabilize those funds while keeping rates competitive with private-sector providers.
Hamel told council that staff had reduced, delayed or reprioritized projects where possible before recommending rate increases.
“Raising rates is the last resort,” Hamel said.
The notice of intent sets the maximum allowable increases and triggers a mandatory waiting period, during which the town plans to publish its full rate study and continue community outreach.
“What we’re asking for tonight is not a final decision,” Hamel said. “We’re seeking approval to publish the notice of intent, which sets the maximum amount that rates can be increased and starts a 60-day clock.”
Town officials said public input will continue to play a role as council weighs how to balance affordability with the long-term sustainability of Gilbert’s water and environmental services systems.
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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