Sedona News – As part of an effort to make wastewater rates commensurate with expenses to provide this service for residents, City Council will determine if increasing the wastewater rate for residential and commercial customers by 3.6% is appropriate at a public hearing as part of the regular city council meeting at City Hall on August 13, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
If approved, the new rates would become effective in October 2024. Residents on low-flow billing currently pay $47.52, and their rate would increase to $49.23. Residents on standard billing currently pay $61.11, and their rate would increase to $63.31.
Background
The city’s Wastewater Department has experienced an increase in operating costs in wastewater collections and treatment. Price increases in materials, operating supplies, labor, contracted work and lab testing have resulted in a 22% increase over the last six years. In addition to inflationary cost increases, repairs and/or upgrades to aging infrastructure and additional regulatory requirements have resulted in higher operating costs.
With a goal for wastewater rates to fund the operations and capital improvements for the wastewater utility, on June 12, 2024, City Council voted to give a notice of intent to increase wastewater rates, leading to the scheduling of the August public hearing.
“In advance of a comprehensive rate study planned for this fiscal year, it has become clear that raising wastewater rates is inevitable since the goal is to be a self-sustaining utility. While rates haven’t been raised in several years, this inflationary adjustment is a good start to meeting this goal,” said Communications Director Lauren Browne.
More information
The city has published data supporting the increased rate including wastewater cash flow information on its website www.sedonaaz.gov/wastewater.
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