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The Maricopa City Council, which moved its regular meeting to Monday to accommodate a special Arizona Corporation Commission public hearing on Tuesday night, will adopt a position on the pending Global Water Rate increase request.

“Because the public expects the council to look out for the best interest of the community, we are going to discuss the issue,” said Mayor Anthony Smith.

The resolution going before council requests relief from the increase proposed by Global Water and urges the Arizona Corporation Commission to adopt a rate that is fair and equitable to all parties.

“The increase is going to have to be one that keeps the utility in a healthy position to support the future growth of the community,” Smith said.

Global Water is seeking rate increases to both its water and sewer service that would cause the average bill in Maricopa to swell from $76.30 to $121.24 a month. Also, the company is looking to increase its rate on recycled water from 33 cents per gallon to $2 per thousand gallons.

“If approved in full, these rate increase are going to be difficult on HOAs,” Smith said. “They will need to look at their budgets make difficult decisions.”

While the rate increases may impose financial difficulties on community homeowner associations and residents, the city could stand to benefit.

Maricopa entered into an non-exclusive license agreement with Global Water in 2006 that pays the city three percent of Global Water’s annual gross revenues. This three percent equated to $388,860 in revenue in 2008 for the city, confirmed Roger Kolman, assistant to the city manager.

In addition to the three percent, the city receives a one-time connection fee of $50 per home from Global Water.

Other items on the agenda Monday night include the approval to enter into a public safety mutual-aid compact, as well as several funding decisions on road maintenance and repairs.

If you go:

What: Maricopa City Council regular session
Where: Global Water Center, 22590 N. Powers Parkway
When: Monday, Nov. 30 with the work session 6 p.m.; regular session at 7 p.m.

Photo by Jim Williams

• “The increase is going to have to be one that keeps the utility in a healthy position to support the future growth of the community,” Smith said. Isn't this the mindset that got us to this position in the first place? GW was planning for "future" growth that didn't materilize as projected....in 2005 2006. (LeonPotter)
• Now that the population is what it is..let's focus on the interests of all Maricopans today.... like local employment. (LeonPotter)
• Nothing like keeping the waters nice and muddy and murky. What kind of increase is "increasing it's rate on recycled water from 33 cents per gallon to $2 per thousand gallons"? At 33 cents per gallon, it already costs $3,300 per thousand gallons". Is this how they do math in Maricopa? (Bob J)
• Interesting comment: “Because the public expects the council to look out for the best interest of the community, we are going to discuss the issue,” said Mayor Anthony Smith. What's interesting is the Mayor and everyone at city hall knew about this at least 5 months ago and NOW they want to look out for the best interest of the community. (Duke Nukem)
• What the mayor is really saying is that in order to keep the community off our backs we need to discuss the issue publically. Then we'll at least look like we care. (Duke Nukem)
• ACC will not let Global Water get their rate increase due to its desire to increase the company’s return on investment. (Ebay1)
• Wow, this mayor sooo needs to go. Leon I completely agree with you. And as for Global, as I've said before: we all are having to wait to recoup the $$$ from our Maricopa investments.Why should you be any different? If you make it affordable for new residents to move here they will. (NY2Copa)
• BE SMART. Keep your existing residents and entice new ones by makeing the Copa a place people want to move to. Is it just me? Why is this so difficult? (NY2Copa)
• DN- I agree this has been a public concern for sometime and they want to "discuss" the issue the day before the ACC makes a rare appearance. It's similar to only one Council Member (Estes) attending ED#3 OPEN meetings HERE in Maricopa about two months ago and calling for a "summit" (LeonPotter)
• While I know of one local business owner asking questions of City Council atleast 5 months ago. (LeonPotter)
• You should also fight over the service charge based on what size pipe comes into your home..Why should the pipe size matter..you pay by consumption..not pipe size ( BS ) (DingDong)
• Why should the pipe size matter..you pay by consumption..(Ding Dong) That's a good question! Hopefully, the answer comes out Tues. (LeonPotter)
• Will someone please tell me again where city council will meet to "look out for my best interest" regarding the Global Water rate increase? Interesting or what? (Suns Fan)
• The irony in that IS very interesting. (LeonPotter)
• I wonder if the spring election has anything to do with this special meeting to talk about our best interests. The reality is that Mayor Smith could give two licks about any of us. He's out to promote his church. Anyone curious why the council met in closed door meeting to talk about a development agreement with Community of Hope church? Smith, Murphree and Diedrich all go there. (Carlos.Benito)
• This is another glaring example of botched leadership. I love how the City gets 3% of Global Water's gross revenue. How much money will the city make off this proposed rate increase? If this goes through as requested, the city will gain over $500,000 in revenue from Global Water. (Carlos.Benito)
• I just wonder how much of a factor does it mean when we have to run our water for 15 min. in the summer to get cold water and 15 min in the winter to get hot water Lots of water wasted we have to pay for. (ladyNcopa)
• "While the rate increases may impose financial difficulties on community homeowner associations and residents, the city could stand to benefit " Wow this type of leadership needs to be booted out of office next year. (ravensnest)
• I hope there is a full house on Tuesday to raise cane over the proposed hike. It will also be a good time to take note of the stand some of the elected officials from city council take to protect their employers (the taxpayers). I haven't heard mayor Smith mention the financial health of the residents. I hope he is concerned about that as well. Something smells here. Is it the cows or Ingram' (CBKD)
• Perhaps the smell is that the mayor and council who talk about how much the city will make on the increase rather then the effect on the residents will hold their meeting in the Global Water Center. (ravensnest)