Pima County prepares to file suit against Tucson over water rates

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TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) – Pima County is preparing a lawsuit against the city of Tucson over disparate water prices.

On Tuesday, the city voted to allow customers in unincorporated Pima County to charge up to 40% more than city residents for the same amount of water.

“It’s disappointing, the last thing we want to do is go to court,” said Sharon Bronson, chairman of the Pima County board. “But I think that’s the only option left now, unfortunately.”

Bronson said she wrote a letter to Tucson Mayor Regina Romero requesting a meeting to discuss the issue, but she has never heard from the mayor.

Different water prices are not uncommon in Arizona. Most cities have them, including Phoenix. One criterion, however, is that the water supplier must prove that the provision of services outside the city limits is more expensive.

Tucson conducted a cost analysis that showed it costs more to deliver water to the non-incorporated areas and puts the plan on a solid footing.

Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County administrator, says the service study cost is flawed, especially since Tucson exempted other registered communities like Marana, Oro Valley, South Tucson, and Sahuarita.

The Pima County Attorney’s Office is preparing a potential legal challenge that the board will discuss at its November 16 meeting.

The board of directors has the final say on whether a lawsuit can be filed or some other solution found.

But when asked if there might be another alternative, Huckelberry said, “At this point it doesn’t seem like it is.”

The different water prices should come into effect on December 1st or some time later.

Bronson says the conflict is too bad because both units have the same common goal and that is water conservation.

“If you want to achieve conservation, there are certainly better strategies,” she said. “This will have the opposite effect.”

Copyright 2021 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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