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El Mirage council approves revised fees, including gradual 3% utility increase after public objections
Summary
The El Mirage Common Council approved Resolution R26-059 setting FY27 miscellaneous fees and service charges, including a 3% utility rate increase phased over the next several years. Residents raised transparency concerns and warned that nearby data centers could affect local utilities; council clarified the data centers are served by a different provider.
The El Mirage Common Council voted to approve Resolution R26-059 on May 5, 2026, adopting miscellaneous fees and service charges for fiscal year 2026–27 that incorporate a 3% rate adjustment for water and wastewater for FY27 as part of a multi‑year rate strategy.
Council members and staff said the modest, staged increases are intended to avoid larger spikes in future years and to fund system needs such as meter replacements and ongoing capital work. "The council approved gradual increases totaling 6% combined for water, wastewater, sanitation from FY27 to FY29," a staff presenter said during the public hearing.
The presentation explained the changes reflect the city’s rate study and compared El Mirage to five comparator cities; staff said El Mirage’s projected monthly utility cost is lower than the comparator average. The city also proposed a $100 temporary use permit fee and adjustments to development‑services fees and water meter charges.
During public comment, resident Philip Bynum urged greater transparency, alleging residents were not given enough information about the proposed water charge and expressing skepticism about executive‑session briefings. "If this council is proud of the job it's doing, then call a water rate hike a water rate hike and not a miscellaneous fee," Bynum said. The council allowed questions and period for clarifications; City Clerk Macy explained the rate‑study methodology and said the city uses a 6,000‑gallon baseline to normalize comparisons.
Council members also addressed concerns about incoming hyperscale data centers. Council Member Dorsey clarified that the data centers referenced by speakers are served by EPCOR, not the city’s water or sewer systems, and so are not factored into the city’s utility rates. "The data centers and where they're located are not on city water or sewer," Dorsey said.
On the motion to adopt R26‑059, Vice Mayor Parsons moved and the council approved the resolution after a recorded count that included three 'nay' votes; the motion passed.
Next steps: the approved fees will be incorporated into the FY27 budgeting and rate schedules; staff indicated future public materials will continue to walk residents through rate study assumptions and comparisons.
