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Community
August 3 – 16, 2013
www.SanTanSun.com
City considers wastewater, reclaimed water rate increases proposed increase, Chandler residents will still be paying less than other cities’ residents. Water is an enterprise fund according to Lang, which means it has to be self-supporting and does not receive contributions from the general fund. “The thing that typically drives rate increases is the infrastructure costs and wastewater, above all, has one of the most expensive processing plant costs,” Lang states. Based on studies conducted by the city, the existing reclamation plant needs expansion to take on new waste from developments and growth. The reclamation project is at McQueen and Queen Creek roads area, while the wastewater project is part of the Airport Reclamation Facility. In a memo from the city’s management services “the increases will cover additional debt service costs due to infrastructure needs and maintain the financial integrity of the water/sewer enterprise, including debt service coverage and cash reserve policy requirements over the next fiscal year.” Lang explains the city will have to sell bonds in the fall to support the infrastructure costs. She also points out that even with the proposed increase Chandler’s wastewater rate will remain the lowest in comparison with other cities. “Based on what we were collecting on our reclaimed rate, we weren’t even breaking even on our operations,” Lang adds. “It has not been adjusted in years. It is time for an increase in that area. It is a very small rate.”
BY TRACY HOUSE
A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12 when the Chandler City Council will hear arguments for and against the Notice of Intention to increase certain water fees—wastewater rates up to a maximum of 9% and reclaimed water rates up to a maximum of 18%. Rate increases are proposed to go into effect Oct. 1. Dawn Lang, director of the management services department with the City of Chandler, explains that wastewater entails the process used for sewage cleanup and anything that goes into the sewers through the wastewater treatment plants. “More and more this has become a very expensive process,” Lang says. Reclaimed water goes through a different process of four or five different phases of cleanup to make it reclaimed, or make it safe to reuse. Lang explains, “Reclaimed water is wastewater that has all the contaminants taken out.” Most reclaimed water, while it is safe to drink, is used for watering golf courses or green belts by homeowner associations (HOA). Lang stresses there are no increases to water user rates. “We are not changing water rates. The proposed increases relate to wastewater and reclaimed water,” she emphasizes. The wastewater increase will be $2 per month to the average household. “This is a flat fee, we’re taking 9% above the flat fee, it equates to $2 for a residence.” This will be on a monthly utility bill. Lang mentions that while there is a
DAWN LANG: The director of management services department with the City of Chandler says the proposed water rate increases will not affect water user rates. Submitted photo
To determine the needs, the city engaged a consultant to evaluate reclaimed water services. According to the memo, it was found that the city spends approximately $1.4 million per year to provide reclaimed water, but only recovers about $1 million in revenues. The proposed 18% increase in reclaimed water fees will add approximately $200,000 in revenue to partially offset operating production costs. An 18% increase equates to an annual increase per home from $15.70 or $1.30 per month to $18.52 or $1.54 per month if the cost is passed on to the homeowner from the HOA with an average of 278 homes. To help put this in perspective, Lang explains the rate is still 76% less for those who use reclaimed water versus homes that use potable water. The public hearing and introduction for changes to the ordinance will be 7 p.m. Mon., Aug. 12 at the regular Chandler City Council meeting in the Council Chambers, 88 E. Chicago St. Tracy House is a freelance writer living in Ironwood Vistas with her husband and four children. She can be reached at Tracy@SanTanSun.com.
Nominate man and woman of the year Nominations to honor the 2013 Man & Woman of the Year are being accepted by Valley Leadership. Honorees will receive their awards at the 65th annual Man & Woman of the Year Luncheon, to be held Thu., March 27, at the Arizona Biltmore. Nominations are due 5 p.m. Fri., Aug. 30. A representative committee headed up by previous honorees, Valley Leadership Founders, past board presidents and current leadership recommends the honorees for approval by the Valley Leadership Board of Directors. Valley Leadership solicits nominations from the public each year in its search for one man and one woman who have demonstrated significant visionary leadership, service and commitment to the Valley and its communities. To nominate an honoree, visit valleyleadership.org/nominations. For more information about nominations, contact Executive Director Christy Moore at christy@ valleyleadership.org, 602-952-6760, ext. 1 or visit valleyleadership.org/mw.
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