Goodyear council adopts four‑year utility rate plan; average residential bill to rise about $8.50 next year

Goodyear’s City Council voted 5–2 on Dec. 15 to adopt a four‑year rate plan for water, wastewater and solid waste that staff said is needed to cover rising treatment, energy and chemical costs and to meet upcoming regulatory requirements.

City staff and consultant materials show the average residential customer would pay about $8.50 more per month beginning next year under the recommended schedule — roughly a 5.8% annual increase over the four‑year period. Deputy City Manager Kenny Knudson and Finance Manager Ryan Biddle told the council the proposal follows a months‑long rate‑setting process that included a citizen advisory committee and a third‑party consultant.

“What is before you tonight is a proposed four‑year utility rate plan for our water, wastewater and solid waste programs,” Knudson said during the presentation. Biddle said the recommended increases reflect multiple cost drivers, including the city’s reliance on Colorado River water and energy‑intensive reverse‑osmosis treatment for groundwater. “We pay over $8,000,000 a year just to get CAP water into our system before we can start treating it for our customers,” Biddle said in the presentation.

Water Services Director Barb Chappell and other staff detailed operational pressures: higher electricity and chemical costs, specialized operator certification and labor shortages, increased construction and capital‑project costs, and an unfunded federal mandate to treat PFAS by 2029. Chappell said the city uses reverse osmosis for some groundwater treatment — a process she described as uniquely energy‑intensive compared with other valley utilities.

Public comment raised related concerns: resident Jeff Redmond asked whether large commercial users such as data centers are billed at the same rates as households; Chappell replied that one water‑cooled data center has a negotiated, higher rate under its development agreement. Another resident raised billing questions for homes on septic systems; staff advised follow‑up to correct any improper charges.

Council members pressed staff on alternatives, affordability and timing. “I really do believe that we need to ask ourselves as a city: have we done enough to keep our cost down?” said Councilwoman Gillis, who said she would vote no. Other council members acknowledged the burden on ratepayers but argued that phased increases are preferable to sudden one‑time spikes or deferred maintenance that could cause service failures.

The council adopted resolution 2025‑2499 to implement the rate schedule; the vote was announced as Passes 5–2. The motion was made and seconded on the record; Councilwoman Gillis publicly stated she would vote no. Staff said the new rates would become effective in February 2026 and that the full rate study and supporting documents are posted on the city website.

What happens next: staff will implement the rate changes per the resolution’s effective dates and continue customer outreach and bill‑portal work (including AMI meter data and customer portals) intended to help residents track usage and detect leaks.

Authorities and formal action: resolution number 2025‑2499 was adopted to approve the four‑year water, wastewater and solid waste rate structures.