The Gilbert Town Council held a regular meeting on February 17, 2026, beginning at approximately 6:00 PM. The meeting focused on proposed utility rate increases for water, solid waste, and recycling services, as well as several consent agenda items including grants and contracts. Council heard public comments, debated rate options, and voted on three rate resolutions. Key decisions included adopting a 25% water rate increase, a 2% residential solid waste increase, and an approximately 20% commercial solid waste increase, all effective April 2026. Council also approved a controversial Build Grant application for the Hunt Highway corridor study.
Okay, thank you for being here. I'll call to order the regular meeting of the Gilbert Town Council February seventeenth, twenty twenty six. We'll start with the invocation which will be offered by Sharon Kotsonas. I got that right. Push the button, it's up there. There you go. Good evening, Mayor, Council members, staff, friends and neighbors. Thanks for allowing me to share a prayer with you this morning. Uh this evening. Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for this opportunity to be together. It's a tough business. Bless our youth, our children, our working families, our retirees. Councilmember Bobby Buckley. Here, Councilmember Kenny Bucklin. Here. Council Member Young Kaprowski. Here, Councilmember Monty Lyons. Here. And Councilmember Jim Torgeson. Aquarum is present. Thank you. We have no presentations or proclamations this evening, so we'll go straight to communications from citizens. Vice Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. We value the participation of community members and robust exchange of ideas. However, it's essential that this discourse remains respectful and constructive, reflecting the professionalism expected in such forums. Misinformation and personal attacks undermine the clut our collective efforts and do not contribute to the productive dialogue necessary of our town's progress. This is an opportunity for the public to address the town council directly about issues impacting the town. Accordingly, the town council will not allow for moments of silence or planning of music or recorded material which could distract from the meeting decorum or violate copyright laws. While we understand and appreciate our the passion our community members bring to this session, we remind everyone that clapping during the meeting is not acceptable. This practice can disrupt the flow of discussion, potentially intimidate others, and distract from those from the respectful atmosphere we strive to maintain. In accordance with state law, we are unable to respond to issues that have not been properly noticed. Therefore, the town council may only listen to citizens who wish to address them. And at the conclusion of the open call to the public, response is limited to individual members of the council responding to criticism made by those who have addressed the public body, asking staff to review a matter or asking the matter be put on a future agenda. However, please be assured that your concerns and input are heard and valued. In accordance to the town code, each speaker is limited to three minutes. Priority will be given to Gilbert residents, business owners, and property owners. Public comments will be limited to 30 minutes total at the beginning beginning of the meeting. The town clerk will notify the council once the 30-minute limit has been reached. If additional comments remain, they will be heard after the conclusion of the public hearing items with the same three three-minute limit um per speaker. When you come up, please come to the podium and state your name and city of residence. Council, we only have five today, so we won't be going to the end of the end of the meeting. Yes, my name is Barbara and I live in Gilbert. Budget Director Kelly Post stated that fiscal 27 is going to be worse than fiscal 26. And we know fiscal 26 was a tight, really tight budget year. This is very promising for us residents. On January 20th, 2026, I sent an email to all of you. The response I received was not from you, but from a Taylor Porter. My first question was why did you find it necessary to start three major projects and substantially increase all three levels of utility services at the same time? Unfortunately, she did not answer my question.