Mesa City Council Study Session on Water Supply and Executive Session - October 14, 2026

Note on Date Discrepancy: The metadata for this document specifies the meeting date as October 14, 2026. Notably, the transcribed audio opens with a reference to September 24, 2026. The date October 14, 2026, is used in this summary as directed.

The Mesa City Council convened a study session covering the city's water portfolio, Colorado River shortages, and an executive session on litigation. The session began with a unanimous vote to enter executive session regarding pending investigations and litigation on landing fees at Falcon Field. The remainder of the session was dedicated to a comprehensive presentation and discussion on Mesa's water system, led by Water Resources Director Joe Judice, Assistant Director Jesse Haywood, and Water Resources Advisor Nicole Petker.

Consent Calendar

• Council unanimously approved receiving board minutes (Motion by Ms. Duff, second by Mr. Heredia).

Executive Session

• Council convened an executive session to discuss the city's position regarding litigation and investigations related to landing fees at Falcon Field. The motion passed unanimously (Motion by Ms. Taylor, second by Ms. Goforth).

Water System Presentation and Discussion

• 100-Year Assured Water Supply Certification: Director Judice announced Mesa received its 100-year assured water supply certification from the Arizona Department of Water Resources approximately five weeks prior, making Mesa the second city in Arizona to receive the designation. The application process, submitted in 2023, took about three and a half years.
• Water Portfolio & Reserves: The city's 2025 water use consisted of 85% renewable surface water (40% Salt/Verde River, 45% Colorado River), 9% reclaimed water via the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) exchange, and 6% groundwater. The GRIC exchange portion is expected to grow to 18-20% in the near future. The city possesses over 550,000 acre-feet of long-term storage credits and holds a philosophy of using groundwater only as a reserve.
• Colorado River Record of Decision (ROD): Nicole Petker explained the federal Bureau of Reclamation's ROD, which establishes a ten-year framework for operations with specific guidelines issued every two years. For 2027-2028, the combined mandatory and system conservation reductions total 3.2 million acre-feet for the Lower Basin and Mexico. Councilmember Adams questioned the rationale of the Upper Basin not sharing in these cuts. The ROD allows for voluntary agreements and flexibility, but creates significant long-term uncertainty for Arizona.
• Impact on Mesa: Mesa faces a 22% reduction in its Colorado River portfolio (a 14% cut to M&I supply, a 10% cut to Indian Priority supply, and a full reduction to Non-Indian Agriculture). For 2027, the Arizona Water Bank will provide long-term storage credits to fully offset the cut, but Mesa may need to dip into its own stored reserves if the shortage persists.
• Conservation and Infrastructure Successes: Jesse Haywood presented metrics showing Mesa's total water use in 2025 was equivalent to 1997 levels, despite serving 150,000 more residents. The city's unaccounted-for water rate has dropped below 5% due to the new AMI metering project (now 96% complete and wrapping up), significantly outperforming the national average of 17%. The public-facing AMI customer portal is expected to launch in the next four to six months. The city's Large Water User Ordinance and tiered rate system were highlighted as key policy tools.
• Future Investments and Staff Direction: Staff outlined several major capital projects, including the SRP-CAP Interconnect (2031), the Bartlett Dam expansion (design phase, construction projected 2035-2045), and the 91st Avenue Advanced Water Purification facility. City Manager Scott Butler framed these essential investments as an "all of the above" approach, analogous to the past decision to invest in the CAP canal. Councilmembers requested detailed analysis on the cost per acre-foot of these new supplies and the impact on future water rates.

Key Outcomes

• Decisions (All Passed Unanimously):
  • Motion to convene executive session on Falcon Field landing fees litigation.
  • Motion to receive board minutes.
  • Motion to adjourn.
• Directives and Next Steps:
  • Staff will return on October 29, 2026, to present policy recommendations regarding the Water Shortage Plan and an update to the Large Water User Ordinance.
  • Council requested a framework for potential escalation of water shortage stages (Stage 1 to Stage 2) and an analysis of the long-term costs of supply.
  • Council affirmed the need for continued advocacy with the congressional delegation for federal financial participation in developing new water supplies.

The meeting concluded with calendar announcements regarding upcoming events including the Mesa Music Festival and Domestic Violence Awareness Night.