Facing mounting complaints about rising water and utility bills, Gilbert Town Council signaled Tuesday that relief for some agricultural water users could be forthcoming.
The comment from Councilmember Jim Torgeson came near the end of an often-contentious public comment session dominated by resident frustration over water policy, infrastructure spending, rate-setting authority and, later, allegations involving public records and council conduct.
Council candidate Bill Spence, himself a former council member, urged the council to adopt an ordinance allowing certain agricultural properties, which he described as “home farms,” to pay business water rates while retaining residential rates for other utilities. He argued the change would be easy to implement and provide immediate financial relief to a small number of affected properties.
