On August 30, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approved the Global Water rate case which included an important amendment that benefits the residents of Maricopa. The amendment, offered by Commissioner Sandra Kennedy, lowered the proposed recycled water rate increase from $2 per 1000 gallons to 57 cents per 1000 gallons. The current rate is 33 cents per 1000 gallons.

The Maricopa City Council and residents believed the rates recommended by the administrative law judge would place an unnecessary burden on the future of Maricopa. In response, Mayor Anthony Smith, Councilmembers Carl Diedrich, Julia Gusse and Alan Marchione, along with attorney Court Rich, (who represented the City on this issue), attended the ACC meeting to speak out in support of Maricopa residents and against Global Water’s recommended rate increases. Also attending the hearing were more than 120 residents of Maricopa; many of which addressed the commissioners on this important issue.

Members of the Arizona Corporation Commission responded to the concerns of Maricopa by approving as part of the rate case the Kennedy amendment. In addition to lowering the proposed rate, the amendment lowers Global Water’s return-on-investment rate from 9.8 percent to 9 percent, offsetting the lower recycled rates, resulting in a savings to Global Water customers of about $500,000. Additionally, the ACC denied Global Water's request to include certain developer contributions in the rate base, ensuring Maricopa residents would not be asked to pay a rate of return on these funds.

Overall, the results of this group effort between the residents of Maricopa, the Maricopa City Council, Commissioner Kennedy and the ACC equate to a savings to all Maricopa residents in the amount of $4.7 million a year.

The City of Maricopa would like to thank to Commissioner Sandra Kennedy, Chairman Kristin Mayes and all the Commissioners for their support of Maricopa by reaching a conclusion that fairly addresses the needs of all involved.

We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2010 Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy. Limited to only 15 participants, MCLA is specially designed to help transform residents into the role of actively engaged citizens. Particularly targeted are those residents who are looking to get more involved in local government. The goal of the eight-session Academy is to educate citizens on the inner workings of their municipal government and create a two-way constructive dialogue between MCLA graduates and City officials/staff, ultimately building a stronger Maricopa.

Registration will close Sept. 30 or when capacity is reached. Classes will begin October 7. For questions about the program or to receive a registration form, contact LaTricia Woods, 520/316.6816.

The City of Maricopa is vying for a $250,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project and we need your help and your vote! You can vote by clicking on the following link 

refresheverything.com/educateouryouthaboutprotectingtheenvironment or by texting 102704 to Pepsi (73774) from your mobile phone. The project is called Educate Youth About Protecting the Environment."