Monday, November 09, 2026

Oro Valley Water Utility Commission — What They’ll Decide

Monday, November 09, 2026

Water Utility Commission

Oro Valley Water Commission to Weigh In on Colorado River Plan and Start Work on Next Year's Water Rates

Oro Valley's Water Utility Commission may take a position Monday on the Lower Basin States' "700-Plus Plan," a proposal for managing the shrinking Colorado River, which supplies part of the town's water through the Central Arizona Project. The commission will also get its first look at the analysis behind water rates for the 2027-28 fiscal year, along with a report from the water utility director and a vote on whether to skip its December meeting.

Water advisers could take a stance on a regional Colorado River plan

Item 4 — Regular agenda (possible action)

Arizona, California and Nevada, the Colorado River's "Lower Basin" states, are negotiating how to share cuts as the river's flows decline and the current operating rules expire. Staff will brief the commission on the states' "700-Plus Plan," and the commission may act, which could mean recommending a position to the Town Council. Oro Valley gets part of its water supply from the river through the Central Arizona Project canal, so how the cuts are divided affects how much water the town can count on and what it pays to replace any shortfall.

First look at what Oro Valley water customers may pay starting in 2027

Item 3 — Regular agenda (discussion only, no vote)

Town staff will update the commission on its analysis of water rates for fiscal year 2027-28. That analysis is the groundwork for any increase to residents' monthly water bills. No rates will be set Monday. Because the commission recommends rate changes to the Town Council, this early discussion is often where the size and structure of an increase first take shape. Rising costs tied to Colorado River shortages and the price of CAP water are likely pressures on the numbers. Items without a formal public hearing are open to public comment at the chair's discretion, so residents who want a say can fill out a speaker card at the 5 p.m. meeting in the Hopi Conference Room, 11000 N. La Cañada Drive.

Water director's report on the state of the utility

Item 5 — Regular agenda

The town's water utility director will give the commission a regular update on utility operations. These reports often cover water supply conditions, infrastructure projects and finances. This is where residents can hear how the utility is handling day-to-day pressures on the system.

Commission may cancel its December meeting

Item 6 — Regular agenda (possible action)

The commission will decide whether to cancel its December session. If it does, Monday's meeting would be the last public discussion of the rate analysis and the Colorado River plan by this body in 2026. Residents following either issue would have to wait until the new year for the commission's next meeting.

Source: Town of Oro Valley Agendas

This preview was generated automatically by Claude Opus 5.5 from the Town of Oro Valley's published council agenda, and published at 8:01 AM MST on November 7, 2026 without human review. Read more about how this is made.