Arvada reviews plan for steep utility rate increases, outlines bond spending and assistance options

Jacqueline Rhodes, a member of the city’s utilities staff, opened a May 13 Arvada City Council workshop on proposed 2026 water, wastewater and stormwater rates and fees, saying, “We’re here tonight to listen.”

The presentation laid out the utilities’ 10-year capital plan, recent project completions, and financing strategy, including a $90 million revenue bond program the city is advancing this year and modeled future borrowings for 2027 and 2029. Staff said the 2025 bond proceeds would be spent within about 36 months on large projects such as water-line replacements and the Arvada water treatment plant replacement, currently in design with construction planned to begin in 2027.

Why it matters: The staff presentation and council discussion framed the work as an attempt to avoid system failure, regulatory noncompliance and public-health risks while balancing affordability for ratepayers. Council members repeatedly pressed for clearer comparisons showing dollar impacts on households, more historical context about deferred maintenance, and options that pace construction to limit near-term rate shocks.

City staff summarized system needs and recent work. Mary Stahl, the utilities engineering manager, said master planning completed through 2022 identified widespread needs: treatment-plant work, distribution piping and storage, interceptor repairs and stormwater upgrades. Stahl described recent progress on several large projects and said some major sewer segments are in construction and others will be “in warranty within a couple of weeks.” She also said past bond proceeds (2022 issuances of $50 million for water and $50 million for sewer) have funded a mix of…