Proposed water and wastewater utility rate hike being considered

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma City Council approved the motion of intent to adjust water utility rates in accordance with state law.

“The city of Yuma runs its water like a business like any business costs go up over time uh cost of everything goes up by 3 to 4 percent a year just do to inflation water water is a product like any other product like a McDonald’s hamburger or like a galloon of gasoline or anything else,” said Dan Jackson the Vice President of Willdan Financial.

The possible rate increase would be by three and a half percent over five years.

And Jackson explains why the utility rates need a small bump in price.

“The desire to keep rates as low as possible with the need to invest in your system to ensure that the level of service is at an acceptable level to the citizens and that’s what this financial plan does for the city,” said Jackson.

There is also the possibility of the Water Resource Trust Fund Surcharge Reinstatement, which is independent from the water utility rates increase.

The surcharge was implemented in 1988 and has not been around since 1990.

It is a request to fund a water resource fund which would be used to advocate for water rights in the city of yuma.

Director of Utilities Jeremy McCall discusses how much the surcharge would cost.

“Use the money for legal fees and so what we’re requesting of this water resource fund is that uh customers pay a small surcharge of about a dollar,” said McCall.

There will be two public meetings in the middle of January to allow the public to voice their opinion on the topic.