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Citizen Water/Wastewater Rate Committee Project Narrative Background and Purpose: Unlike other city departments, the Water Resources Department is self-funded. It relies on monthly rates and fees to operate and maintain all of the assets that provide the city with safe, quality drinking water as well as efficient and effective wastewater services. Buckeye has not raised monthly water or sewer rates since 2014. This eleven year span has created challenges to maintain the water and wastewater infrastructure to the highest standards you expect from us, especially in highly inflationary markets. Currently, Buckeye Water Resources provides water service to nearly 33,000 customers and wastewater collection services to over 35,000 customers. Each year, Buckeye delivers approximately 3.8 billion gallons of water to your home or business, and collects, transports and treats more than 6.5 million gallons a day of wastewater. Providing reliable water and wastewater services for our customers requires an extensive infrastructure network of pipes, pumps, wells, reservoirs, fire hydrants, and valves. For water, infrastructure assets include 540 miles of water lines, 45 wells and 15 pump stations, and for wastewater, 340 miles of sewer lines, three lift stations, 7,900 manholes and four reclamation facilities. All of this equipment is monitored and maintained by city staff 24/7. One of Buckeye’s biggest cost challenges lies in our source water, groundwater. While groundwater is readily available in the central part of the city, the ability to pump the water from the ground is challenging and the cost to bring it up to drinking standards can be significant. Similar to a financial portfolio, Buckeye’s water portfolio is used to demonstrate the city has enough water rights to support customer demand, and the funds available to maintain the infrastructure and equipment for both water and wastewater services citywide. Project scope: To consider the potential authorization of water and wastewater rate increases, Buckeye is establishing a 2025 Water/Wastewater Rate Committee. The committee will consist of a group of volunteer stakeholders, residents and business leaders operating under the authority of the proposed by-laws, and will facilitate the development of recommendations on potential increases to both the water and wastewater rates. The by-laws charge the committee with providing advice to city staff and a recommendation to the City Council on specific matters related to rates. To facilitate the Committee’s work and to encourage additional public participation, the City Water Resource staff, financial advisors and marketing professionals will present information and work with the Committee in the formulation of their recommendation. Committee Composition and Function: Under the proposed by-laws, the 2025 Water/Wastewater Rate Committee will consist of up to 13 members and two alternates appointed by the City Council. The alternates would be entitled to participate but not vote. If a vacancy should occur, then one of the alternatives would be appointed as a voting member. To ensure that the recommendation to Council reflects the community’s values, the proposed by-laws limit the number of non-Buckeye residents to no more than three (3) individuals. The members who are non-Buckeye residents must meet certain criteria which are intended to ensure the members have a long-term commitment to the Community, i.e., a non-resident who owns and operates a business in Buckeye. Outcome and Timeline: The 2025 Water/Wastewater Rate Committee will issue its recommendations to City Council concerning potential water and wastewater rate increases. The committee will be dissolved on December 31, 2025. This process ensures transparency, community engagement, and long-term sustainability of Buckeye’s critical water infrastructure.