Water rates have increased almost every year in Oro Valley since 1997. With council approval, rates will go up again.
The town council plans to vote on a water rate proposal this Wednesday, Nov. 18. The item is a public hearing and residents are welcome to comment.
The proposal would add about 5.6 percent to the bills of most residential customers.
Sign code project requested
Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Department staffers have asked the council to approve a plan to initiate a comprehensive review of the town’s sign code, and offer specific revisions.
If passed, planning and zoning officials would review numerous aspects of the town sign code, such as standards for permanent signs, master sign programs, window signage, temporary signs and lighting standards.
The last issue was the focus of much controversy at an August council meeting, when numerous members of the business community showed up to advocate for more relaxed standards. They wanted the town to allow signs to remain lighted through the night as a way to help the business community.
Some residents, however, protested that excessive illumination would negatively impact their quality of life.
Members of the scientific community who attended that meeting asked the town council to help keep the night skies dark. They said the observatories of Southern Arizona help bring millions into the economy, and they rely upon the darkness.
The planning and zoning department wants to work with a task force comprised of members of the community and business leaders to advise on changes to the comprehensive sign code.
A tentative schedule would include task force meetings through the middle of next year, followed by the planning and zoning commission making a recommendation on the group’s findings.
Following that, the council would receive the recommendation and revised sign code next August.
Proposed increase to water fees in Oro Valley
The Oro Valley Water Utility charges customers based on water usage. Customers are billed on a per-1,000 gallon rate. The amount of water used determines what billing tier customers will be in.
Tier 1 — up to 7,000 gallons
$2.18 current $2.20 proposed
Tier 2 — 7,001-16,000 gallons
$2.95 current $2.99 proposed
Tier 3 — 16,001-32,000 gallons
$3.95 current $4.03 proposed
Tier 4 — more than 32,000 gallons
$5.25 current $5.38 proposed
Source: Oro Valley Water Utility
