Council to hold a public hearing and take action on Resolution No. 32-26 approving and adopting the rate schedule for water and wastewater rates, rate components, fees, or service charges set forth in

5.D
CITY OF BUCKEYE
Regular Council Meeting
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
MEETING DATE: 05/05/26
AGENDA ITEM: 5.D. WR - PH - Water
and Wastewater Rates, Rate
Components, Fees or Service Charges
DATE PREPARED: 05/05/26
DISTRICT NO.:
STAFF LIAISON: Terry Lowe, Water Resources Director, tlowe@buckeyeaz.gov,
(623) 349-6102
DEPARTMENT: Water Resources
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Public Meeting /
Non Consent - New Business
ACTION/MOTION: (This language identifies the formal motion to be made by the Council) 
Council to hold a public hearing and take action on Resolution No. 32-26 approving and adopting the
rate schedule for water and wastewater rates, rate components, fees, or service charges set forth in the
document entitled "Schedule of Fees;" setting an effective date; and repealing conflicting resolutions or
parts of resolutions.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUS AREAS: 
Infrastructure
SUMMARY
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
In June 2025, Council established the 2025 Citizen Water and Wastewater Rates Committee (WRC) to
evaluate the Water Resources Department (WRD) budget, operations, and rate study previously
conducted by the Finance Department and a third-party consultant. On October 9, 2025, the WRC voted
unanimously to recommend Council adopt the Gradualism Rate Scenario for a five-year rate plan. From
October 2025 to January 2025, WRD received comments from the public through public outreach
meetings, social media, a dedicated email inbox, and telephone. As a result of public feedback, WRD, in
collaboration with the Finance Department, has further refined the Gradualism Rate Scenario with a
recommended four-year rate plan.  A Council work session was held on January 20, 2026.   The final
recommendations aim to right-size the rate structures, establish a reliable rate cycle, and implement
rates that support healthy water and wastewater enterprise funds without creating too great a burden for
customers. The 2025 Water and Wastewater Rate Study Report details these final recommendations. In
2020 City Council adopted the $3.05 Repair and Replacement Fee for the purposes of supporting the
Water Resource Department’s (WRD) Asset Management activities. Prior to that action, the last water
and wastewater increases were adopted by Council in March 2015 under Resolution No. 14-15, with the
final increases taking effect on January 1, 2016.   A notice of intention was adopted by motion at the
February 3, 2026 regular council meeting. Since that time, the Water Resources staff has continued
public outreach efforts. Now that the ninety-day comment period has passed, staff is requesting this
public hearing on the proposed rate package.  
BENEFITS:
Ensuring continued and reliable water and wastewater services by stabilizing both enterprise funds.
FUTURE ACTION:
If the Resolution is approved, the Rate Schedule would be reflected on the utility bills beginning June 10,
2026.  As proposed, future rate adjustments will occur on January 1, 2027, January 1, 2028, and
January 1, 2029.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT:

The recommendations will increase overall Water utility revenues by 4.5% and Wastewater utility
revenues by 7.0% each year throughout the four-year rate plan.
Items related to a project or facility location must include an attached vicinity map for Council
Review.
ATTACHMENTS:
Public Comments from April 7, 2026 Regular Council Meeting Re Water and Wastewater Rates.docx
2025_Rate_Study_Report_Revised_Final.pdf
Proposed Schedule of Fees.pdf
Resolution No. 32-26 Water Rates with Exhibits May 5th meeting.pdf
Council Presentation 5.05.26 Rate Adoption_Final.pdf