Goodyear water utility rates won’t increase this year

By Kelly O’Sullivan
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

Goodyear residents will not see an increase in their water utility rates this year.

Based on recent comments from the public about hardships many are experiencing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, city Finance Director Doug Sandstrom and Public Works Director Javier Setovich recommended during the City Council’s regular meeting Monday, Jan. 4, that staff revise Goodyear’s five-year water, wastewater, solid waste and storm water plan to drop this year’s proposed increase.

The council agreed, and is expected to consider the revised plan Monday, Jan. 25.

READ: APS offers support to customers in need during pandemic

After working with an 11-member ad-hoc Citizen Rate Review Committee, staff initially proposed a 1.9% increase in rates, effective Jan. 1, with increases of 4.9% in January 2022, 4/1% in 2023, $4.1% in 2024 and 4.8% in 2025.

That would have meant residential customers with 3/4-inch water meters who paid $121.49 for water, wastewater and sanitation in 2020 would pay $123.66 in 2021 and $146.93 in 2025.

Goodyear created the review committee in December 2019. It met seven times between March and September 2020 to work with staff and representatives from Willdan Financial Services, a Phoenix-based firm that conducted a comprehensive rate study on behalf of the city.

In addition to creating a website, goodyearaz.gov/government/departments/finance/2020-utility-rate-study, to keep residents informed, Mr. Sandstrom said the city sent informational postcards to 38,870 addresses in the city, and emailed 3,171 businesses.

Fewer than 300 responses were received asking the city to reconsider the proposed increases, he said. Of those responses, 159 mentioned pandemic hardships, 83 said water utility rates are too high, 74 asked for lower rates for low- and fixed-income customers and 45 asked for rates for seniors to be locked.

One submission, from resident Ora Beard a retired educator who is assisting her granddaughter’s family, was read during the meeting.

“Would you want another pressure point on you at this time?” she wrote. “Families are going through a lot ... can we have a little compassion and forego this raise until another time? I know no one ever wants a raise in utilities, but a raise at this time could push families over the brink.”

Mr. Sandstrom said staff recommended revising the five-year plan to forego this year's proposed rate increase to  address concerns like Ms. Beard's.

He added that the city, county and state all have programs in place to help residents experiencing financial hardships.

“Anybody who feels they are really challenged by the utility rates should go onto (the Goodyear Cares on the city’s website) and look for that assistance,” he said.

To find the page, visit goodyearaz.gov, click on Our City and Neighborhood Services, then scroll down to Goodyear Cares.

Kelly O’Sullivan can be reached at kosullivan@newszap.com or 760-963-1697.