Water Infrastructure Bond for 2027

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and details may be misheard.

What: a proposal by Mayor Gallego to consider a separate, expedited water infrastructure bond measure in 2027 alongside the regular general obligation bond, after federal cuts to Arizona's Colorado River share.
Where it stands: on October 13, 2026 the council voted 8-1 to direct the Fiscal Capacity Committee to analyze the city's capacity for a 2027 water bond, plus a $600 million to $650 million program in 2028 with an allocation to water, and to have staff meet non-profit partners on the draft bond guidance. Nothing is decided on size, timing or content.
Next: committee and staff options are requested by Thanksgiving. Hernandez voted no.

Moved by Vice Mayor Hodge Washington, seconded by Guardado; O'Brien's friendly amendment added the 2028 larger-program option (the 50 percent water share was dropped).
Three parts: staff meets non-profits and philanthropic experts and reports back; the committee studies a 2027 water bond in addition to a standard bond; the committee studies $600 million to $650 million in 2028.
The request that options not raise the property tax rate is guidance, not binding, per the city attorney's office.

For: Colorado River cuts (public speakers cited a 50 percent cut to the Central Arizona Project allocation), residents asking about water, possible leverage with federal funders; likely projects include leak reduction and faster smart-meter rollout (Stark).
Against or cautious: Hernandez cited underinvested neighborhoods, fire response times, another study, an undefined later bond date and lower off-year voter turnout; Pastor asked how deferred maintenance would be balanced; Waring worried water could crowd out public safety items.
Committee chair Butler said the committee can rerun scenarios and is neutral on what projects the money funds.

2028 General Obligation Bond Program size and non-profit partner requirements (the $575 million base recommendation).
City Manager Zuercher said water shutoffs, paused about six years, will resume with payment plans and Project Assist funds.

About 43 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-13 - City Council Policy Session	43

2026-10-13 - City Council Policy Session - Mayor proposed a 2027 water bond; amended motion passed 8-1 directing further analysis by the Fiscal Capacity Committee and staff.
2026-11-10 - 2026-11-10 - City Council Policy Session: Water Supply and Demand Update on the agenda (see Water Supply and Drought Stage Update).