On Tuesday, Gilbert Town Council unanimously passed a Notice of Intent signaling potential increases in water, solid waste, and recycling fees for both residential and commercial customers. This step addresses the financial demands of refurbishing the aging infrastructure and maintaining a reliable water supply amidst the ongoing struggles with the Colorado River shortages. Although an actual hike in rates hasn't been sanctioned, the Council encourages public input on the proposed changes, reports Gilbert's official website.
The council meeting laid out two options for water rate increases, which are part of a planned adjustment potentially stretching into a fourth year. The options include a one-time 25% boost next April with a freeze the year after, or to steadily spread out the increase at 14% for April 2026 and another 14% for 2027. Additionally, Public Works staff have been instructed to keep looking at alternative routes before a definitive choice is made.
Residential customers might see less than $0.60 a month added to their bills with a proposed 2% increase in solid waste and recycling rates. On the other hand, commercial entities could face a heftier 20% raise with monthly charges varying vastly from $44 to $400 based on service type. “If Council chooses to move forward with any of these options, the applicable rate increase will take effect in April 2026,” Gilbert's announcement states.
Focused on gathering community opinions, residents can soon expect communication from the Town with further details. The final decision on the proposed rate changes will be up for a vote during the Town Council meeting scheduled for February 17, 2026. To stay updated with the most recent developments on water rates, residents can sign up for the weekly e-newsletter via the Town’s website. Current rates can be viewed on the official Gilbert rates page. To gain deeper insight into the council's deliberations and public reactions, you can watch the December 16 meeting recording provided on their site.
