Avondale approves new water and sewer inspection fees, shifts $1.23M to Old Town project

Avondale approves new water and sewer inspection fees, shifts $1.23M to Old Town projectThe Arizona municipality has updated its engineering fee schedule to capture costs for water and drainage inspections while reallocating water funds to cover expenses for the Old Town Phase V Improvement project.

City Council unanimously approved the FY2027 fee schedule, establishing new inspection fees for water connections, sanitary sewer manholes, and drainage structures.

New charges include a $150 fee for large water manhole/vault structures and a $175 fee for private unlined standard sanitary sewer manholes.

The council also approved a quarterly budget transfer, increasing Water Funds for the Old Town Avondale Phase V Improvement project by $1.23 million.

The Avondale City Council unanimously approved its Fiscal Year 2027 fee schedule and quarterly budget transfers during a virtual meeting on July 13, 2026. Passed as part of the consent agenda with no public debate, the measures introduce new cost-recovery mechanisms for municipal water and wastewater services and adjust funding for key capital projects. Under the newly adopted Resolution 1058-0726, the city's Engineering Services division will implement several new inspection fees starting September 1, 2026. Staff noted in the agenda packet that these services require technical expertise and administrative processing, but previously lacked specific fees to recover associated costs. Newly established fees include a $175 charge for inspections of private, unlined standard sanitary sewer manholes, an $80 fee for water main or lateral pipe stub connections, and a $150 fee for water manhole or vault structures housing large valves or meters over two inches. The city also introduced fees for drainage inspections, including $65 for thermoformed PVC catch basins and $40 for storm drain flared end sections. Dozens of other water and sewer fees received name or unit-of-measure updates to improve clarity and transparency for developers and residents. Additionally, the council approved a capital budget adjustment for the Old Town Avondale Phase V Improvement project. To appropriately cover project expenses, the council reduced Dedicated Sales Tax funding and increased the project's Water Funds allocation by $1,236,000. Staff noted that the total project budget will remain unchanged despite the funding source swap.