Queen Creek Town Council Regular Session - October 21, 2026

The Queen Creek Town Council held a regular meeting on October 21, 2026, beginning with a closed executive session. The primary focus of the public session was a detailed discussion on proposed changes to water delivery and wastewater utility rates, accompanied by extensive public comment regarding the financial impact on residents, particularly those on septic systems. The council also received updates from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Mayor's Teen Advisory Committee and unanimously approved the consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the September 29 and October 7, 2026 meetings.
• Approved expenditures and purchases, including $151,876 for Kimley-Horn ITS fiber network design services and $97,726 for Carahsoft software subscriptions.
• Accepted a $60,000 grant from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety for DUI/Impaired Driving Enforcement.
• Accepted a $111,660 grant for Selective Traffic Enforcement (STEP).
• Approved a renewed Data Access/Exchange Agreement with ADOT for the Police Department's access to crash records.
• Approved Amendment No. 1 to the IGA with Maricopa County for the Sheriff's Office Basic Training Academy, increasing the registration fee from $750 to $1,500 per recruit.
• Approved an IGA with the City of Chandler for Back Up Ambulance Services.
• Approved an IGA with participating cities and towns for Transportation Mutual Aid.
• Approved the creation of CIP project WW106 for MSB sewer line replacement and a change order of $220,046.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Waddell and Christine Williams expressed strong opposition to the proposed water resource fee, stating it would be highly punitive for residents with large lots and septic systems. They urged the council to consider requiring HOAs to allow water-wise landscaping, citing Scottsdale's ordinance prohibiting mandatory turf requirements. They calculated the fee could exceed their entire property tax bill by year five.
• Jessica Keester, a 30-year Queen Creek resident and teacher, expressed concern that the rate increases would be detrimental to neighbors on fixed incomes and felt the proposed fee structure for septic users was punitive, as sewer connection was never an option for her neighborhood.
• Doreen Connor, a retired nurse on a fixed income from Rancho Hardines, demanded a clear breakdown of the proposed $40 monthly fee for septic tank users. She argued residents with septic are charged a significantly higher per-gallon rate ($3.007) compared to those connected to the sewer system ($1.85), representing a 66% higher rate, and feels retroactively punished for having a septic system when no sewer connection is available.
• Heather Fernandz criticized the confusing communication from the town regarding the $40 fee, having received conflicting information from different town representatives. She stated her strong opposition to the fee.

Discussion Items

• Water Utility Outreach Update: Communications Director Constance Wilson provided an update on public outreach regarding the proposed water rates. She clarified that the controversial $40 fee is not a new town-wide assessment for septic customers, but an existing charge affecting approximately 64 accounts in the Queen Creek Ranchettes and Terra Ranch subdivisions tied to older sewer infrastructure agreements. Staff is reviewing potential updates to the online rate calculator, which has only been used by 145 out of 40,000 accounts.
• Water Delivery and Wastewater Rate Presentation: A consultant presented a comprehensive analysis. Key proposals included:
  • Water Delivery: No major increases were needed; slight reductions for some residential customers (e.g., a bill dropping from $39.44 to $36.08 for 10,000 gallons) were proposed to partially offset the new Water Resource Fee. The tiered rate structure would be maintained with modest adjustments.
  • Wastewater: No changes were recommended to single-family residential wastewater rates. Adjustments were proposed for commercial and multifamily accounts to align rates with the cost of service.
  • The combined impact of the Water Resource Fee and proposed delivery adjustments for an average single-family home using 10,000 gallons was estimated at a net increase of approximately $15 per month.
• Council Discussion: Councilmembers emphasized the rate structure aims to ensure growth pays for growth and fairly distributes costs. Councilmember Brown highlighted the legal constraints imposed by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), stating the town cannot receive credits for water used by septic systems, which drives a portion of the need for new water supplies. The agenda item regarding the CAGRD reimbursement program was postponed to the November 4th meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Unanimously approved by the Town Council.
• Water/Wastewater Rates: No formal votes were taken. The discussion was intended for council direction and public education ahead of a potential vote on the Water Resource Fee at the November 18th meeting, and on other rate adjustments at the November 4th meeting.
• Staff Direction: Council directed staff to improve communication regarding the specific legal and financial constraints (ADWR regulations) that necessitate the fee structure, and to continue refining the online calculator and public outreach efforts.
• Next Steps: The discussion on the CAGRD reimbursement program was deferred to the next meeting. The council is scheduled to discuss water rate adjustments further on November 4th.