Avondale holds public hearing on large jump in development impact fees tied to wastewater plant expansion
January 12, 2026 | Avondale, Maricopa County, Arizona
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Avondale officials on Jan. 12 held a public hearing on proposed revisions to the city’s development impact fees after the estimated cost of a planned wastewater reclamation facility expansion nearly doubled.
Renee Weatherless, the city’s finance and budget director, told the council the project’s cost has risen from the roughly $80,000,000 used in the prior fee schedule to $155,000,000 in the updated estimate, and the city needs to adjust fees to recover the increased cost and debt-finance the project. "The purpose of tonight's item is to conduct a public hearing on the City's intent to adopt revised development impact fees," Weatherless said.
Weatherless presented fee examples that show substantial increases for new development. For the most common single-family residential meter (three-quarter inch), the wastewater development impact fee would rise from $3,153 to $10,854 under the updated calculation — an increase of just over $7,700. Combined development fees for a single-family residence would increase from $14,432 to $22,133, she said.
Weatherless also explained the process and timeline: the council held the required public hearing on Jan. 12, staff will return to the council on Feb. 23 to consider adoption, and any adopted fee schedule would take effect 75 days later (May 9) and apply to new projects going forward.
No members of the public had registered to speak during the hearing; Mayor Peneva opened and closed the public comment portion after staff confirmed there were no requests. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the timing — staff said the project is in design with construction expected to start in the next fiscal year and will take a couple of years to complete — and about the prior estimate, which Weatherless said reflected the approved plan adopted in 2022.
The hearing was for discussion and public input only; the council did not adopt the fee changes at the Jan. 12 meeting and will consider formal adoption on Feb. 23.
Renee Weatherless, the city’s finance and budget director, told the council the project’s cost has risen from the roughly $80,000,000 used in the prior fee schedule to $155,000,000 in the updated estimate, and the city needs to adjust fees to recover the increased cost and debt-finance the project. "The purpose of tonight's item is to conduct a public hearing on the City's intent to adopt revised development impact fees," Weatherless said.
Weatherless presented fee examples that show substantial increases for new development. For the most common single-family residential meter (three-quarter inch), the wastewater development impact fee would rise from $3,153 to $10,854 under the updated calculation — an increase of just over $7,700. Combined development fees for a single-family residence would increase from $14,432 to $22,133, she said.
Weatherless also explained the process and timeline: the council held the required public hearing on Jan. 12, staff will return to the council on Feb. 23 to consider adoption, and any adopted fee schedule would take effect 75 days later (May 9) and apply to new projects going forward.
No members of the public had registered to speak during the hearing; Mayor Peneva opened and closed the public comment portion after staff confirmed there were no requests. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the timing — staff said the project is in design with construction expected to start in the next fiscal year and will take a couple of years to complete — and about the prior estimate, which Weatherless said reflected the approved plan adopted in 2022.
The hearing was for discussion and public input only; the council did not adopt the fee changes at the Jan. 12 meeting and will consider formal adoption on Feb. 23.
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