Sun Lakes residents object to water-rate hike proposal

SUN LAKES, Ariz. — Sun Lakes is typically a quiet retirement community in the southeast Valley but Tuesday that changed a bit.

Dozens of residents vented their frustrations to the Arizona Corporation Commission about a proposed 18 percent water and sewer rate hike from the Pima Utility Company.

For the first time in almost two decades, Pima Utility wants to boost the bill for about 10,000 residents.

Catharina Couples spoke to the commission at Sun Lakes Country Club and said the hike averages out to about $6 more on her water bill each month. That may not sound like much but it is to those on fixed incomes.

“This is a retirement community,” she said. “We live on fixed and limited incomes. In this recession everybody is counting every penny. Doing without or stretching.”

The Corporation isn’t expected to decide on the proposal for several weeks.