Water rates are rising.
It's necessary and it's time, said Water Resources Director Terry Lowe. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the Buckeye Water Resources department is going to approach triage if it doesn't see a rate increase.
“As you may or may not know, it’s been some time since council’s adopted rates, about 10 years or so,” said Lowe. “Since that time, we’ve been buying commodities and supplies and services in 2025 with, essentially, 2013, 2014 money. So, as you’ve seen from the last few budget cycles, our funding balance continues to go down and this is part of that process for us to right-size the business here.”
Buckeye residents are being called on to aid in this process through the formation of a citizens' Water Rate Committee. The 15-member committee will consist of six members from each district, one member at large, six representatives from various customer types such as developers and two alternative members. The WRC will create a multi-year rate structure plan, assisting in public outreaching and providing rate escalation recommendations.
“In the short term, the goals of the WRC will be to establish sensible rate adjustments,” Lowe said. “We are a little bit behind the eight ball of collecting what is necessary to maintain the system to its optimal level.”
The Water Resources Department pays for personnel, electrical needs, vehicles, chemical supplies and maintains water portfolio assets through an enterprise fund paid for through resident water rates.
“Not only are we utility, we’re also an asset manager,” Lowe said. “To be able to maintain effective use of our assets, we’ve got to maintain those assets.”
Rising to a more appropriate rate will take time, he acknowledged. It could take several years of escalations. The WRC will aim to look at long-term planning with a 5-year adjustment rate plan that mirrors inflation rates.
Council unanimously approved the formation of the WRC. Buckeye residents can apply for the position throughout June if they meet the following requirements:
- Must be more than 18 years or older
- Cannot be a city employee, an immediate family member, or on city council
- Cannot be a voting member on two or more city boards and commissions
Council members will select the 15 committee persons in July. The WRC is slated to meet from August through October, potentially in bi-weekly sessions. Public comment on the WRC's recommendations will be conducted in November and December with the new rates adopted potentially in January 2026.
