Gilbert Town Council Meeting on Utility Rate Increases and Infrastructure - February 17, 2026
Gilbert Town Council Meeting - February 17, 2026
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.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1-6, 8-9, 10 approved unanimously (7-0): Included an intergovernmental agreement with Save the Family for affordable housing, an amendment to the HOME consortium adding Goodyear, a cooperative contract for aluminum sulfate (not to exceed $680,000/year for 4 years), a contract for water treatment equipment ($250,000/year for 5 years), a development reimbursement lien agreement with Simon CRE, a CIP contingency contract with Sunt Construction ($838,023), a change order with Endris Houser ($220,000 for FY27), claim settlements totaling $485,320, a Homeland Security Cybersecurity grant application ($92,045 with up to 25% match), and a 2027 Homeland Security grant application ($574,750 for armored vehicle, training, and drone equipment).
- Item 7 (Build Grant) passed 6-1 after separate vote: Approved application for a $1,065,000 federal BUILD grant for a feasibility study and 15% design on Hunt Highway from Val Vista to Wrecker. The town's 20% match ($~200,000) may be offset by in-kind staff time. Councilmember Bobby Buckley voted no, citing insufficient time to review and concern about long-term construction costs.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Barbara (Gilbert resident): Opposed the proposed water rate increases, calling them "extortion" and criticizing the planning of multiple major projects simultaneously. Cited a prior email to council that received no direct response. Expressed concern about traffic and new apartment developments.
- Shane Melvin (Gilbert resident, Bridges neighborhood): Described a severe mid-fly infestation from the nearby recharge basin at Katio and Higley. Reported spending ~$900 on mitigation, with flies affecting indoor and outdoor living. Asked for a concrete plan to dry the basin and measurable improvements. Council directed staff from Public Works to follow up.
- Eric Rumstead (Gilbert resident): Questioned the need for expanded police and emergency equipment grants (item 9), arguing for de-escalation over militarization. Shared an incident at Williams Field High School where he felt police lacked clear communication. Council noted a future presentation on item 9.
- Elizabeth Lee: Did not appear.
- Clay Richardson (Gilbert resident, Gilbert Leadership class participant): Praised town staff for proactive compliance notices, leak detection assistance, and quick streetlight repairs. Expressed gratitude for the community and staff dedication.
Discussion Items
- Water and Solid Waste Rate Increases (Items 16-18): Staff presented detailed rate pressures: water infrastructure inflation, Colorado River shortage risks (up to 77% cut to CAP water), rising vehicle and maintenance costs for solid waste, and increased landfill tipping fees. Two water rate options were debated: Option A (25% increase in April 2026, no planned increase in 2027) and Option E (14% increase in 2026 and another 14% in 2027). The Public Works Advisory Board recommended Option A. Council also discussed a potential agricultural water rate framework for small businesses, which will return on March 3, 2026. Councilmember Monty Lyons expressed concern about meter audits and Colorado River uncertainty, favoring Option E. The majority supported Option A as following the original 2023 plan and avoiding prolonged pain.
- Utility Assistance Program: Council gave direction to staff to increase the $30/month utility assistance amount and to shift future rate adjustments to fall months to align with budget cycles. Staff may bring a future contingency request for additional funding.
Key Outcomes
- Water Rate Increase (Resolution 4637): Adopted Option A (25% increase effective April 2026) by a vote of 4-3 (C. Buckley, Bucklin, Kaprowski, Torgeson in favor; Lyons, Bongiovanni, and an unnamed member dissenting; transcript shows "4-3" for item 16).
- Residential Solid Waste Increase (Resolution 4638): Approved 6-1 (Lyons dissenting). 2% increase ($0.55/month for standard 90-gallon service) effective April 2026.
- Commercial Solid Waste Increase (Resolution 4639): Approved 6-1 (Lyons dissenting). Approximately 20% increase for most commercial services, effective April 2026.
- Build Grant (Item 7): Approved 6-1.
- Consent Calendar (Items 1-6, 8-10): Approved 7-0.
- Public Hearing Items 11-15: Adopted as a block 7-0.
- Administrative Item 19 (Budget & Contingency Report for Q2 FY26): Approved 7-0.
- Future Meetings: Next regular meeting scheduled for March 3, 2026, including discussion of agricultural water rate framework.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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