City conducted last rate study in 2018; goal is self-supporting funds
Sedona wastewater users could soon be paying higher rates.
During its Aug. 11 meeting, the Sedona City Council received an update on the city’s wastewater rate study it authorized as a part of the 2026-27 budget sessions.
Since then, Willdan Financial Services received a $71,520 contract to assist with public outreach and to develop alternative rate options for all types of users.
The last wastewater rate study was conducted in 2018, and the city’s long-term goal is to have wastewater managed by a self-supporting enterprise fund to cover operational needs and planned improvements that does not require monies from the city’s General Fund. “
Since the last rate study, there was a slight increase every year to kind of reach that goal of wastewater being a self-sustaining waste enterprise fund. But two years ago was the last increase,” Public Works Director Roxanne Holland said. The 2018 rate study resulted in some restructuring of city capacity fees and commercial wastewater rates.
“Since that time, we have developed a more robust and complete long-range plan for our [Capital] Improvement Projects],” Holland said. “We’ve looked at our operating budget, what we might need to start replacing in the future years with aging infrastructure, and so we have a more comprehensive look of what the next 10-plus years need. And so it is definitely time to relook at another wastewater rate study.”
Public Works is working with the city’s communications team to form a resident work group as part of that outreach, with participants drawn from a variety of businesses and community. Those who are interested in joining can sign up through the city’s online Volunteer Registry or contact Public Relations Analyst Kegn Hall at khall@ sedonaaz.gov.
“The group aims to have participants from a variety of businesses and community members,” Holland said. “Upon completion of the rate study, adjustments to the wastewater rates will need to follow statutory requirements, which differ slightly from the consolidated fee schedule.”
No direction or vote was taken by council. The Public Works Department anticipates that it will present its next update about the rate study to council in November or December with a tentative completion by the end of February.
Once the rate study is complete, any adjustments to wastewater rates will have to follow statutory requirements, which differ slightly from the consolidated fee schedule. No timeline beyond February was discussed during the meeting.
