APPROVED APRIL 1 NAC MINUTES.PDF

Minutes of the Neighborhood Advisory Commission (NAC) Meeting held on Wednesday, 
April 1, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. as a hybrid meeting with in-person attendance option along with 
virtual component option via Microsoft Teams platform 
(MEMBERS) Present: Brandon Abrahams, Lane Carraway, Joe Caudill, Ray Devine, Jan 
Doughty, Eric Johnson, John Kozel, Stacy Novis, Caitlin Rynn, Joel Stern, Angie Taylor, Casey 
Thomas, Suri Wall 
(MEMBERS) Absent: Gavin Hamilton, Kaylyn Smith 
City Staff: Shauna Warner, Neighborhood Services Director; Elizabeth Thomas, Neighborhood 
Services Specialist; Bree Boehlke, Neighborhood Services Specialist; Keith Burke, Deputy City 
Manager; Steven White, Administrative Manager/ Municipal Utilities; Tara Ford, Public Works 
Director; David Tavares, Deputy Public Works Director/Field Operations, Craig Caggiano, Deputy 
Public Works Director/Water Utilities   
Guests: (The name Amar appears in the participants list/chat) 
Agenda Item 1 – Call to Order 
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Kozel 
Agenda Item 2 – Public Comment 
None 
Agenda Item 3 – Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes: March 4, 2026 Neighborhood 
Advisory Commission Meeting 
There was a motion to approve the April 1, 2026 minutes as presented by Commissioner Devine 
and seconded by Commissioner Doughty.   
The motion passed with a vote of 12 ayes. 
Commission Member Ayes: Brandon Abrahams, Lane Carraway, Joe Caudill, Ray Devine, Jan 
Doughty, Eric Johnson, John Kozel, Caitlin Rynn, Joel Stern, Angie Taylor, Casey Thomas, Suri 
Wall 
Absent: Gavin Hamilton, Stacy Novis, Kaylyn Smith 
Staff Note: Stacy Novis arrived at 5:42 p.m. following minutes vote 
Agenda Item 4 – Utility Rate Study Overview and Early Engagement, Steven White, 
Administrative Manager, Municipal Utilities 
Tempe’s Public Works Department is responsible for providing effective water, wastewater, 
stormwater and solid waste services to the community. Direct customer fees fund all costs 
associated with delivering these services through the Water and Wastewater Enterprise Fund and 
the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.  
The city reviews water and wastewater utility rates and solid waste rates every year to ensure that 
charges stay current and to prevent large gaps between revenue and expenses. A financial model 
update is used to review the impact of inflation and other trends. 
Every other year, consultants work with city staff to conduct a comprehensive utility rate study 
whereby the full costs for delivering services are assessed, as well as the revenue required to 
Minutes 
Neighborhood Advisory Commission 
April 1, 2026

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maintain the utility’s financial stability.  The Utility Rate Study is a four-step process beginning with 
revenue requirements (encompassing supply source, treatment, infrastructure, personnel, metering 
and testing), followed by cost allocation, rate design and communication.  The importance of active 
stakeholder participation, through implementation of a public engagement plan, is emphasized and 
supported throughout the process. 
 
The study serves as a snapshot in time forecasting revenue and expenses over the next ten years.  
Costs are examined carefully and are broken down by specific processes or services so that a 
relationship can be created between the cost of the service and the user of the service. The goal of 
the rate study is to identify if any adjustments to rates, fees and charges are needed to maintain 
the financial stability of the utility.   
 
Water and Wastewater rates along with fees and charges are applied towards providing clean and 
safe drinking water, collection of wastewater for treatment, and replacement of critical 
infrastructure.  Costs for each of these essential functions, particularly replacement of critical 
infrastructure, have increased. Tempe’s utility rates also support: 
• 
water resources and drought management and planning 
• 
water conservation initiatives including efficiency, education and incentives 
• 
local, state and federal regulatory compliance and requirements  
• 
stormwater program management and more 
 
Customer rates are then established with rate adjustments recommended as needed to: 
➢ address inflationary and other short-term budgetary factors 
➢ support long-term viability 
➢ provide resources for infrastructure maintenance and replacement 
➢ align costs with the values and priorities of the City Council and community.   
 
Tempe’s overall rates remain competitive with other Valley cities.  For Tempe’s typical residential 
customers, utility rates are among the lowest in comparison to neighboring municipalities.  Based 
on a 5/8” meter, 8,000 gallons of water usage, 6,400 gallons of wastewater usage, plus stormwater 
fee and standard solid waste service, the monthly Tempe utility bill is $108.37.   
 
Next steps by month: 
June – Rate recommendations presented to City Council 
August – Notice of intention 
June through October – Public outreach (1 virtual public meeting and 1 in-person public meeting 
planned) 
November – Public hearing and consideration of rate adoption 
January 2027 – If adopted, new rates become effective 
 
Member comments and questions included: 
With wastewater, what are you looking at? 
A: We’re still looking at flow and toxicity (contaminants) of what is being discharged. 
 
Regarding example with 8,000 gallons of water and 6,400 gallons of wastewater, what quantifies? 
A: The first 8,000, that’s our first tier and subsequent tiers increase from there. 
 
Does availability of water play a role?  Where you live? 
A: The majority of rate is based on water consumption, not just a flat fee or the size of your meter.  
Rates are structured to encourage conservation. There are a number of different tiers including 
single-family, commercial, industrial and more that we can provide further information about.  
Tonight’s presentation was more intended to offer a broad overview and early engagement.   
 
I fall in tier 4 every year and my last bill was $384, how can I get a lower rate?

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A: We can schedule a free water consultation and can go over the rate tiers and potential ways to 
get it lower using tools like the WaterSmart Portal, leak detection, water conservation measures 
and mitigation.  We can go into great detail with you and together review lots of existing data.  
 
Does revenue and reserve ratios impact bond rating? 
A: Maintaining our compliance does have an impact.  Net revenue, if achieved, remains in the 
Water and Wastewater and Solid Waste funds to offset future inflation and forecasted capital 
expenses, mitigate rate increases and maintain sufficient reserves in accordance with the city’s 
water and wastewater and solid waste fund balance policies. The fund balance is essential to 
make sure that the Utility will be able to provide uninterrupted service.   
 
How do city rates differ from private utility rates? 
A: Our rates are set based on needs of the Utility. Net revenue, if achieved, remains in the Water 
and Wastewater and Solid Waste funds to offset future inflation and forecasted capital expenses, 
mitigate rate increases and maintain sufficient reserves in accordance with the city’s water and 
wastewater and solid waste fund balance policies. The fund balance is essential to make sure that 
the Utility will be able to provide uninterrupted service.   
 
Are there assistance programs for those having difficulty paying their bill? 
A: City of Tempe staff, nonprofits and local businesses work together to help those experiencing 
financial difficulties, including staying current on their utility bill. Communication prior to water 
service suspension is encouraged. Payment plans can be arranged. 
 
Agenda Item 5 – Neighborhood Nomination Form and Rater Form Discussion 
Chair Kozel encouraged feedback and comments from NAC members about the overall 
nominations and review process. It was noted that nominations again varied widely in quality and 
content with some nominators more effectively telling the story of their nominee than others.   
 
Prior and current NAC members had come up with the nomination form and the rubrics now being 
used with the nomination form being updated at NAC member direction to be a universal form. The 
only remaining “category” being Neighbor of the Year with all other honorees/naming of the award 
coming from NAC member input. Both the online nomination form and the rubric being used can be 
revisited, modified or redone to suit the needs of the current membership. Members then engaged 
in discussion.  
 
Member feedback included: 
• 
Highlight scoring rubric more and in multiple locations. Suggestion to move evaluation criteria 
to the paragraph where the narrative is located. 
• 
Some of the questions are very qualitative rather than quantitative. 
• 
The Neighbor of the Year category remains, which can be confusing.  
• 
Maybe include a question requesting potential name of the award from the nominator for their 
nominee on the nomination form?  Might help inform what they are thinking? 
 
After the discussion, members were asked to review the form again and send suggestions to staff 
to discuss at a future meeting.  
 
Agenda Item 6 – 2026 Neighborhood Celebration Updates 
Staff confirmed final event details are being set and reminded members to continue helping to 
promote the upcoming Saturday, April 11 event with their circles. Fifteen honorees total including 
six neighborhood awardees will be recognized.   
 
Staff agreed to resend the provided link to sign up genius for day of tasks and stations including 
unloading vehicles and set up, welcome station, t-shirt distribution, food monitoring and pack out 
and take down scheduling. Chair Kozel apologized for a scheduling issue placing him out of the 
country and unable to attend this year’s event.

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Members were provided their event t-shirts and encouraged to gather day of for a group photo.   
 
Agenda Item 7 – Proposed Future Agenda Items and Member Shares 
Members were asked to please RSVP for the Boards and Commission Appreciation Event coming 
up on Friday, May 1 at Tempe Center for the Arts. 
 
Future Agenda Items Suggestions 
Talking with Aviation Commission about possible flight path changes – noticing more helicopter 
flights over some North Tempe neighborhoods and more flying over the 101. 
 
Tempe Tourism Update – what’s happening and overview of new events coming online 
 
Agenda Item 8 – Adjournment 
Meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m. 
 
Prepared by: Elizabeth Thomas 
Reviewed by: Shauna Warner