Tucson City Council approves controversial water rate increase

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – If you’re a Tucson Water customer and live outside of the city limits, your water bill will go up.

On Tuesday, June 22nd, the city council voted 7-0 to charge residents of the unincorporated Pima County more for their water than those who live within the city limits.

A customer out of town could pay up to 40% more per month, and the city council said the change could raise nearly $ 10 million more per year.

The increase is graduated and hits those who use the most water.

For the average customer consuming less than 5,236 gallons per month, the increase is about $ 48 per year. Those consuming more than 33,000 gallons a month could see their bills skyrocket by more than $ 120 a month.

The proposal has been a point of discussion for weeks but the Council finally voted in favor after postponing it to allow time for discussion and public comment.

Earlier in the day, the Pima County Board of Supervisors released a confidential legal opinion from the district attorney. This will explain how the increase can be legally challenged and whether the process used by the City of Tucson violates state law.

According to the statement released hours before the council vote, the city has the right to raise water prices, but they must be “fair and reasonable”.

Copyright 2021 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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