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Apache Junction water district adopts $28 million FY2026–27 budget and new rates
Summary
The Water Utilities Community Facilities District approved a roughly $28 million FY2026–27 budget, including a $10M capital outlay for a new public works building, and adopted rate and fee changes (including a 5% base-rate increase) after a public hearing with no speakers; both measures passed unanimously.
The Water Utilities Community Facilities District for the City of Apache Junction on a unanimous vote approved its FY2026–27 budget and adopted new rates and fees that take effect July 1, 2026.
District Director Mike told the board the district proposes a roughly $28 million budget for the coming fiscal year, funded by operating revenue, bond proceeds and reserves. He said last year’s total operating revenue was about $9.23 million and described planned spending that includes a roughly $10 million capital outlay for a new water public works building, bond proceeds to help fund that project, and a contingency of about $500,000 for emergencies such as well or pipeline failures.
The board then considered Resolution No. 2026-003 to adopt the estimates of expenditures and formally establish the district’s FY2026–27 budget. The motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call vote.
Separately, the board reviewed Resolution No. 2026-004 to readopt existing and set new potable and non-potable rates, system connection fees, water acquisition fees and other charges effective July 1, 2026. Mike summarized the changes: a proposed 5% increase to the base rate for city customers (from $33.11 to $34.77), a 5% increase to county consumption rates for county customers, a residential system connection fee increase from $7,900 to $8,030 (a CPI adjustment of about 1.7%), and a 5% increase to the water resource acquisition fee (from $3,840 to $4,030). He said the district is also pursuing some grant funding and investment earnings and compared the district’s connection fees to other valley cities.
After opening a public hearing and receiving no public speakers, the board moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026-004; that motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Board members asked staff several clarifying questions about miscellaneous revenues and line-item details; staff said they would follow up with disaggregated answers. In presentations leading up to the votes, staff also outlined a list of capital projects in the coming year, including pipeline replacements (a 12-inch main on Baseline and a 16-inch main on Tomok from US 60 to Southern), upgrades to booster pumps and treatment media replacements, efforts to secure effluent credits, and continuing participation in the Bartlett Dam sedimentation mitigation project.
Outcome and next steps: Resolutions 2026-003 (budget adoption) and 2026-004 (rates and fees) were adopted unanimously. Staff will provide requested clarifications on miscellaneous revenue/expenditure line items, and the district will move forward with the capital program and related procurement processes.
