Queen Creek Town Council members will hear a presentation on water, wastewater and solid waste rates at their regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 7, the first public session on the topic since residents lined up last month to oppose a proposed water resource fee.
The item is listed for discussion only, so no vote or public comment will be taken on it. Before the 6:30 p.m. meeting, the council's executive session agenda includes legal consultation on the town's Harquahala Valley groundwater acquisition and on its irrigation water service, both with references to long-term financing and the associated utility rates and fees.
What happened in September
On Sept. 16, the council voted 7-0 on six notices of intention covering new development capacity fees, existing water rates, a new water resource fee, wastewater rates and trash and recycling rates. The notices set a public hearing for Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Chambers. The minutes of that meeting are in the packet for Wednesday's session.
According to the minutes, staff told the council the resource fee is meant to move the town toward water self-sufficiency and is tied to replenishment, not consumption. In year one it would be $3.07 per 1,000 gallons, with each later year requiring another public process.
Deputy Town Manager Scott McCarty said homeowner associations account for 20% of the town's yearly replenishment obligation and would pay $1.9 million in the first year, while irrigation customers would pay $1.5 million.
Nine people spoke against the proposal, and more sent written objections. Several were residents of county islands served by the town's water system. Speakers said owners of large irrigated lots, flood-irrigation users and septic households would carry a disproportionate share.
One resident on a septic system wrote that her household's resource fee would reach $5,492 a year by year six, and others asked for a separate vote on the fee or a public vote.
