Gilbert officials are preparing to raise water and trash rates by as much as 25% for water and 20% for commercial trash service – drawing sharp warnings from residents who say the town’s repeated utility hikes are eroding affordability, pushing out longtime families and undermining trust in town leadership.
In a unanimous vote last week, Town Council approved publishing a Notice of Intent to raise utility rates beginning April 2026.
Under the proposal, water rates would increase either 25% in a single year or 14% in 2026 and another 14% in 2027. Residential trash rates would rise 2%, while commercial trash customers would face an average 20% increase…