Water at the forefront of Tuesday meetings in Cave Creek

By Jeff Wendt
Mail

Water will be a big topic of discussion Tuesday during a pair of Cave Creek Town Council meetings in the council chambers.

The public will first have an opportunity during a 3:30 p.m. public hearing to hear about plans for water rate increases for Cave Creek, Desert Hills and Cave Creek wastewater customers, as well as hearing a discussion on the town’s available water resources. 

That discussion will cover the impact of mandated reductions of Central Arizona Project water will have on the town, including the purchase of groundwater rights in Harquhala Valley.

During the Nov. 4, 2025, meeting, the council proposed a 6% rate increase in the water rates, and scheduled a public hearing per the state’s statutory requirements. The council will propose new tiers to utility rates, one for customers using less than 4,000 gallons of water per month, and a tier for those who use more than 40,000 gallons per month.

The rates, if approved, will take effect Feb. 5, and will run through 2028.

For example, customers in Cave Creek could see their water bills increase anywhere from approximately $3 per month for the lowest users to more than $600 per month to those who use the largest amounts.

In Desert Hills, user in the lowest tier could see a decrease of approximately $8 per month, while the highest-tier users would see an increase of approximately $85 per month.

The public hearing will also examine the upcoming proposed cuts from the Central Arizona Project and the upcoming cuts in water from the Colorado River, which feeds into the CAP and into the town. The town is also looking to purchase groundwater rights in the Harquahala Valley, which it approved paying earnest money to become involved in the project back in October. 

The town has been involved with the Bartlett Dam eexpansion through Salt River Project, and will hear information regarding it and how that could affect obtaining water from that source.

The water rate hearing will lead into the regular council meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. Along with the water rate increase,  the council will take up adoption of its rules and procedures for council, and will hear a presentation for a special event application from the Horny Toad as part of Bike Week from March 27 through April 5.

Jeff Wendt
Reporter | Phoenix/Cave Creek

jwendt@iniusa.org

Meet Jeff
Jeff Wendt started at Independent Newsmedia in January 2023, after 25 years working for Gannett and The Arizona Republic. Started as a high school sports scoretaker, worked up to reporting high school sports and then became an associate high school sports editor in 2002. Also worked in the Design Studio as a copy editor.

Community: Jeff serves on the Board of Elders at his local church.

Education: Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication

Random fact: Attended Game 2 of the 2001 World Series.

Hobbies: Playing video games (yes still the kid in me), watching reality TV, playing poker.