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The Mesa City Council is in the process of raising utility rates from 3-30% to take effect in February for electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater, and solid waste disposal (trash/recycling).  The council has heard from departments throughout the city government, nearly all of which have requested more funding, but the City Council has not heard from the residents of Mesa, the residents who will be burdened with paying these higher utility rates.  It’s time to make our voices heard.

The City of Mesa insincerely claims to prefer utility rates that fall into the median when compared to other Phoenix Metro Area cities, however Mesa’s utility rates are  the highest in the Valley of the Sun by a wide margin — higher than Gilbert, higher than Fountain Hills, higher even than Scottsdale.

The City of Mesa routinely pulls money from utility fund revenues into the general fund for other purposes ($136M planned in fiscal 2024/2025); this is possible because the city overcharges for utilities.  This has enabled city government to grow faster than the city itself has, becoming bloated and unresponsive to the needs of citizens.  Revenue from already excessive utility rates acts as a slush fund for the city’s extravagant overspending.

Mesa residents are currently dealing with rising rents, rising food prices, and rising medical costs.  Many of us barely survive on fixed incomes and are struggling with these rising costs, or we have neighbors, friends, and loved ones who are struggling.  A family budget can only stretch so far before it breaks.  This increase in rates is a slap in the face to all Mesa residents who are doing their best but falling farther behind each month through no fault of their own.

We, the citizens and residents of Mesa, expect our city council to respect the financially-strapped ratepayers of Mesa and call on our councilmembers to reject this increase in utility rates.  By getting involved, you will join other Mesa residents in calling for justice and fiscal restraint in the City of Mesa government.  Here’s how:

First, sign this petition to register your disapproval of the utility rate hike. This petition and signatures will be printed and submitted to the City Council.

Second, contact your city councilman and Mayor Giles by email, phone, or letter.  Simply express your disapproval of these utility rate hikes.  Civility is the order of the day.  You don’t need to be angry or provide reasons.  Mesa residents are the city council’s bosses.  We get to have a voice without an explanation if we decide not to provide one.

Third, mark your calendars for November 18 and December 2 at 5:45 pm.  Show up early!  Plan to attend the city council meetings those days.  The petition signatures will be presented to the city council and your mere presence will communicate to our city councilmembers that we disapprove of the rate increase.

Together, we can make our voices heard and stop this unjust and burdensome utility rate hike. 

Mesa City Council Chambers

57 E. First Street

Come in via the entrance on the north side of the building.  

Parking: at the Mesa Public Library across the street, street parking in front, or free parking just to the east at 55 N Center St.