The Florence Town Council approved an increase in wastewater utilities rates at its Tuesday, Jan. 3 meeting.
“The town has been notified that the sanitation collection cost for residential customers will be increased by 5% on Feb. 1, 2023. This is an increase of 92 (cents) per month, or $11.04 per customer, per year for standard refuse and recycling containers,” according to a staff report.
The new rate per month is $20 up from $19.08.
“We are requesting that town council approve a rate increase to the 2022 rate of $20 to cover the costs of increases by the sanitation provider, plus a 5% increase to commercial accounts.” According to the report. “Our financial statements ending June 30, 2022, showed a deficit of $78,000. That means that we are spending more than we are collecting.”
A notification of the rate hike will be posted on the town’s website 60 days prior to implementation. Customers will also receive notification of the increase on their utility bills. The increase will be effective on May 3.
The increase could have been higher, Florence Finance Director Becky Jimenez told the council.
“We had done the utility rate study because we've had some changes here in the last few years that we felt were significant that would affect the rates and fees,” she said. “The new fees that are set forth now actually are lower than the ones that were still in the current study. We've been able to bring some of those costs down but also to provide sufficient increases to support the water and wastewater utilities for about five years.”
Janet Perez News Editor | Florence &
Queen Creek @AzNewsmedia
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