S hort term impact for long-term sustainability.

This was the key takeaway from a council retreat discussion last week between town officials and council members on a proposal to raise Gilbert’s water rate – an increase that appears inevitable for customers next year.

Council discussed two options for raising water rates – 25% next April and no increase in 2027 or a 14% increase in each of the next two years.

The town also is proposing a 2% increase in the fee for trash services.

Town staff and council members debated several issues when it came to raising water rates, including the challenges the Gilbert water fund is currently facing, the impact of rate increases on households and the way the need for the proposed hikes should be presented to the public.

The Town Council on Tuesday

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