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Mesa council approves utility-rate package after public pushback; residential increase cut to 2.5%
Summary
After extensive public comment, Mesa approved fee and rate changes for electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and solid waste. Council trimmed the residential increase to 2.5% and shifted more of the adjustment to commercial rates; staff said the utility fund still faces a near $29 million shortfall in 2026 without changes.
The Mesa City Council on Dec. 1 approved a package of utility rate and fee adjustments covering electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and solid waste after a prolonged public hearing and internal compromise.
Brian Richel, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told the council the package was designed to restore equity between residential and commercial customers, encourage conservation and smooth increases over time. Richel said staff initially modeled larger increases but revised them after council direction; the adopted compromise reduces the residential increase to 2.5% while applying…
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