We’ve been discussing the City of Tucson’s decision to inflict increased water rates on Tucson Water customers who live in unincorporated Pima County for some time now.
We’ve argued the irresponsibility of the Mayor and Council for unanimously passing these increases without conducting an actual cost of service analysis of water delivery to county residents that could, or possibly, justify the implementation of the higher rates.
We’ve highlighted the various council members and certain county supervisors quotes and statements as to why they support the water rates increases. The higher rates will “slow and control growth and development in the County”. County residents should pay more because, “they can afford to”. They should cover the cost of water being charged to city residents “who can’t afford to pay” their water bills. Topped by The Whopper, “just let the City of Tucson annex you and you won’t have to pay the higher water rates”. The list of head-shaking City of Tucson rationales goes on.
Now another factor has come to light that the Mayor and Council didn’t take into consideration in this matter, but perhaps should have, the inequity in CAP charges.
Residents of unincorporated Pima County pay more than half of the property tax levied by the Central Arizona Water Conservation District even though the unincorporated Tucson Water customers only make up 29% percent of the utility’s customers and Tucson Water received 80% of the Central Arizona Project CAP municipal water allocation in Pima County.
Unincorporated area customers of Tucson Water pay 42% of the CAP fees assessed by Tucson Water even though the unincorporated customers only make up 29% of Tucson Water customers.
The unincorporated Tucson Water customer pays a City of Tucson 2.5% sales tax even though they live outside of the City, where there is no sales tax.
These are just more arrows in the County’s quiver for use against the City.
As times goes on, and as we explore this debate of differential water rates, more and more issues will arise that show the folly, lack of clear thinking, and irresponsible decision-making in the Mayor and Council’s efforts to impose higher water charges on county residents.
I’ve always predicted that this whole mess would end up in the Courts and that it won’t end well for the City of Tucson. Or, to liven things up a bit, in retaliation, the County could simply raise the sewer fees of City residents. But then the County would be acting like the City.
That’s not a good thing.
