Oro Valley stormwater staff warn reserves will fall without rate increase; commission sets September target for recommendation

Oro Valley’s Stormwater Utility staff told commissioners on April 18 that the utility will likely run short of reserve funds within the next three years unless the town secures additional grant funding, reduces project scope or increases monthly stormwater fees. The commission asked staff to produce a professional rate report with project scopes and cost estimates and to aim for a recommendation by September.

The presentation was led by John Spyker, stormwater utility manager, who walked the commission through a five‑ and 10‑year forecast and stressed that “we’re gonna be running out of money at some point” if current spending and project demands continue. Spyker said the utility currently bills roughly 28,000 Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs) at $4.50 per ERU, yielding about $1.5 million annually; a rough example presented showed that a $2 monthly increase (to $6.50) would generate…