Facing rising costs and aging infrastructure, the Marana Town Council will vote today on whether to move forward with a proposed plan to raise water and reclamation rates over the next five years, a gradual increase officials say is necessary to maintain reliable service and fund future improvements.

Town officials discussed the issue during their Oct. 21 meeting, saying existing rates are not high enough to cover projected expenses. Water Director Heidi Lasham has proposed increasing water rates by 10.5% each year and reclamation rates by 2.5% annually, averaging roughly a 6% increase per year for customers.

Today’s vote would affirm the council’s intent to move forward with the plan, with a final vote on the rate increases expected in January.

The town hired a contractor to conduct the latest water rate study, the first since 2019, which included increases for the 2024 fiscal year but none for 2025.

Lasham told the council Marana currently provides water to 20,000 customers through 324 miles of water and sewer mains at a cost of less than 2 cents per gallon.

She recommended annual rate increases, citing several major price hikes since the current rates were set and the long-term effects of water-efficient technology, which has gradually reduced overall usage.

Revenue from the increases would help fund system expansions, including 13 new staff positions and 10 new vehicles through 2030. It would also cover new water meters, maintenance and repairs, and reclamation cleaning and inspections — costing an estimated $5.38 million over five years.

Town officials project a deficit beginning in 2027 between revenue and operation and maintenance costs, with an additional $3 million expected for capital expenditures on new projects.

Marana regularly undertakes water projects within its existing budget, such as well rehabilitations, service line replacements and efforts to manage PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in the town’s wells.

The proposed rate increases would raise the average monthly utility bill from $107 to $114. Marana currently has the third-highest utility bill among surrounding municipalities.

Officials plan to implement the rate increase during the winter instead of at the start of the fiscal year, when water use is typically lowest, to minimize the immediate impact on residents.

Council member Patrick Cavanaugh voiced support for the increase, calling a $7 monthly rise reasonable and suggesting it could encourage residents to conserve more water to “beat the seven.”

He emphasized the importance of projects such as PFAS management that would be funded by the rate adjustment.

Ian Stash is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at istash@arizona.edu.

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