Chandler council tentatively adopts ordinances to raise utility and some solid-waste fees

The Chandler City Council on Jan. 8 moved forward with tentative adoption of two ordinances that would raise utility rates and adjust solid-waste fees, after a staff presentation that cited aging infrastructure, increased water‑purchase and chemical costs, and contract increases for hauling and collection.

Matt Dunbar, the city’s budget and policy director, told the council the rate analysis showed a revenue shortfall that led staff to recommend a 15% increase for water, a 15% increase for wastewater, an 18% increase for reclaimed water and a 6% increase for residential solid-waste service. "As we did our analysis in this last year for a rate increase, we saw that we needed a rate increase for all of those utilities," Dunbar said during the hearing.

Dunbar listed drivers for the changes: increased planned replacement of high‑risk water mains, a redundant 48‑inch transmission line, higher water purchase costs tied to CAP and SRP, rising treatment‑chemical and power prices, and growing personnel costs. He gave examples of customer impacts: a typical residential water…