Gilbert Town Council Regular Meeting – December 16, 2025

The Gilbert Town Council held its regular meeting on December 16, 2025, at 5:30 PM (MST). The meeting began with an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and a special presentation honoring Town Manager Patrick Banger for 14 years of service. The major substantive item was the presentation and discussion of proposed utility rate increases for water and solid waste/recycling, leading to council approval to publish a Notice of Intent and schedule a public hearing for February 17, 2026. The meeting also included public comments on water rates, police data integrity, and record management, as well as approval of a lengthy consent calendar (with a 6–1 vote on three parks projects), and continuation of several public hearing items.

Recognition of Town Manager Patrick Banger

• Mayor Anderson read a resolution (Resolution 46-20) commending Patrick Banger for 14 years of dedicated service as town manager. The resolution highlighted his leadership in achieving Triple-A bond ratings, economic growth, park development, public safety improvements, and transparency initiatives.
• Banger thanked the council, staff, and the community, stating that all accomplishments were due to the 1,850 town employees. The council adopted the resolution by a unanimous voice vote.

Utility Rate Increase Presentation and Notice of Intent

• Town Manager Patrick Banger introduced the topic, explaining that enterprise funds (water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental compliance) are self-supported through rates and fees. He outlined drivers: Colorado River drought, rising water costs, inflation, and critical infrastructure needs (e.g., North Water Treatment Plant, well drilling).
• Banger also announced a third-party water meter audit by Kimley Horn & Associates, with findings expected in March 2026, to strengthen public confidence.
• Isaiah Scarcia Romero (Solid Waste and Recycling Manager) presented on solid waste rate pressures: 87% increase in vehicle replacement costs since 2020, 301% increase in repair and maintenance, 78% increase in landfill tipping fees, and volatile recycling markets. He proposed a 2% revenue increase for residential services (e.g., $0.55/month for standard 90-gallon service) and a 13% increase for commercial front-load service.
• Rebecca Hamill (Water Manager) presented on water rate pressures: 73% increase in CAP water costs since 2020, aging infrastructure (North Water Treatment Plant – 50% complete, 60 MGD capacity; eight new wells), and rising operational costs (chemicals, electricity). She summarized that the town deferred $239 million in costs to mitigate increases. Two options were presented: Option A (original 25% increase in April 2026) and Option E (14% in 2026, 14% in 2027, plus estimated 5% in 2028 and 2030, 0% in 2029). The Public Works Advisory Board recommended Option A for balancing short-term affordability with long-term needs.
• Candace Kwan (Chief Communications Officer) outlined a community engagement plan including a dedicated website, hotline, and mailers.
• The council discussed the options but refrained from debating, noting the vote was only to set the public hearing date. Councilmember Torgerson requested a projection of when rates might stabilize. Staff committed to providing more information.
• Councilmember Bon Giovanni clarified that the proposed increase applies only to the water portion of the utility bill, not the entire bill.
• The council voted 7–0 to approve the Notice of Intent and set a public hearing for February 17, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Darrell Gross (Gilbert resident): Using an allegory of "Ghosts of Utilities Past, Present, and Future," urged the council to slow down, find efficiencies, phase increases more gradually, and create a fair rate structure for larger properties. He asked for more compassion and transparency.
• Tiffany Silva (Gilbert resident): Requested a fully independent, outside audit of the water system and North Water Treatment Plant costs, with detailed itemized expenses posted online.
• Kim Britton (20-year Gilbert resident): Urged pausing non-essential projects until water issues are resolved, questioned moving funds from other projects, and suggested waiting for Colorado River negotiations before raising rates.
• Dave Rosenfeld (Gilbert resident): Alleged a vendetta by Councilmember Torgeson against him, including a perceived threat in 2021 and a recent police report (No. 2025-1944). Claimed Councilmember Lyons supported Torgeson in removing him from the Veterans Advisory Board. He stated he filed multiple FOIA requests and that the council retaliated.
• Rachel Jones (Gilbert resident, 30+ years): Expressed concern for single-family farm properties facing 400% water rate increases. She urged the council to recognize the value of agricultural heritage, equestrian activities, and to devise fair rate structures for large-lot properties.
• Barbara Colvin (Gilbert resident): Criticized the council for waiting 8 years without rate increases, leading to large cumulative increases. She argued that sewer rates doubled and would increase another $30/month, and said the town provides breaks to apartments/commercial while burdening homeowners. She accused staff of lying at listening sessions about halting apartment approvals.
• Bill Spence (Gilbert resident): Raised concerns about manipulated police staffing numbers from 2017–2023, suggesting understaffing may have affected investigations of murders (Nick Cordova, Rachel Hansen, Preston Lord). He asked how many more officers are needed and stated he and Darrell Gross filed a complaint with the Attorney General regarding unlawful utility rate noticing and billing.
• Carissa Arnold (former Gilbert resident): Stated she notified the council on November 17 about deliberate deletion of public records, and that a police report was filed against the town clerk. She demanded an independent investigation into police data manipulation and alleged that the town manager directed deletion of records by year-end. She connected the data issues to unsolved murder cases and criticized council inaction.

Consent Calendar

• Town Manager Patrick Banger presented a summary of 23 consent items covering roadway improvements, employee engagement surveys, mechanical/plumbing contracts, public safety, parks, water infrastructure, fleet purchases, and a third-party water meter audit.
• Councilmember Torgerson pulled items 9 (Freestone Park Pickleball Complex), 10 (Freestone Park Splash Pad), and 11 (Desert Sky Park Phase 2) for separate discussion, expressing disappointment that baseball and soccer fields were not prioritized over pickleball and splash pads. He made a motion to approve items 2–23 excluding 9, 10, 11, which passed 7–0.
• Then Councilmember Koprowski moved to approve items 9, 10, and 11. Councilmember Bon Giovanni commented that the community survey of over 60,000 residents prioritized these projects, and that the town made a promise when asking voters for a dedicated sales tax. He argued that delaying these projects would not speed up ball fields. The motion passed 6–1, with Councilmember Torgerson voting no.

Public Hearings

• Items 24, 25, 25A, and 25B were on the agenda. The mayor noted that two speakers (Catherine Jones, Michael Lachlin) were not present. Councilmember Koprowski moved to approve item 24, and continue items 25, 25A, and 25B to January 20, 2026. The motion was seconded and passed 7–0.

Administrative Items

• Item 26: Motion to direct staff to publish Notice of Intent to increase water and solid waste rates, and set public hearing for February 17, 2026. Passed 7–0.
• Item 27: Resolution 2026-01 regarding purchases from members of the governing body (annual policy). Passed 7–0.
• Future Meetings: Study sessions were noted for future dates.

Town Manager Communications & Recognitions

• Patrick Banger highlighted the Intergovernmental Relations Department’s work on state/federal appropriations (including $8M for the Octillo Bridge).
• He recognized Lauren Hickson for representing Arizona at the Colorado River Water Users Conference.
• He recognized Kirsten McGay, Assistant to the Town Manager, who is leaving to pursue further education, for her contributions.
• Banger gave final remarks thanking staff, council, and the community, noting his tenure ends soon.

Key Outcomes

• Recognition Resolution 46-20: Unanimously adopted to honor Patrick Banger.
• Notice of Intent for Utility Rate Increases: Council voted 7–0 to publish the notice and set a public hearing for February 17, 2026, on rate increases for water (option A, 25% in 2026) and solid waste (2% residential, 13% commercial).
• Consent Calendar: Items 2–23 passed 7–0, and items 9–11 (parks projects) passed 6–1 (Torgerson opposed).
• Public Hearings: Item 24 approved; items 25, 25A, 25B continued to January 20, 2026, all unanimously.
• Administrative Items: Both items 26 and 27 passed unanimously.
• Third-Party Water Meter Audit: Contract with Kimley Horn (up to $476,000) was approved as part of the consent calendar to enhance billing transparency.
• Community Engagement: The communications plan for rate changes began immediately; staff will provide detailed rate study and engagement through February 2026.