Contributed Article/Courtesy City of Safford
SAFFORD – This notice is to inform the public that new utility and landfill rates and water/sewer capacity fees will take effect on Nov. 28, 2025.
In October 2024, the City of Safford selected Willdan Financial Services to conduct a comprehensive utility and service rate study. The purpose of this study was to analyze each utility and service fund, evaluate growth and inflation projections, and develop recommended fees and rates necessary to meet the needs of the City’s utility systems over the next five years.
Understanding Enterprise Funding:
City utilities, including water, wastewater, electric, gas, sanitation, and landfill services, are operated as enterprise funds. These funds function much like businesses within the government; they are self-supporting and financed primarily through the fees and charges paid by users of the service, rather than through general tax dollars.
Enterprise funds are used for activities that:
- Provide goods or services directly to the public,
- Charge users a fee based on consumption or usage, and
- They are designed to be financially self-sustaining.
Unlike general government services such as police, fire, or parks, utilities depend
on: - Service charges (such as water, sewer, gas, or electric rates),
- Connection or impact fees for new customers,
- Other revenue, such as interest earnings or late fees, and
- State or federal grants and loans, often for large infrastructure projects.
Press Release
Taxes are not typically used unless the City Council chooses to subsidize a service for policy reasons. This structure ensures that the cost of providing utilities is distributed fairly among those who use them, and that critical infrastructure can be maintained and improved without relying on property or sales taxes.
A public hearing was held on Oct. 13, 2025, during a regularly scheduled Council meeting, providing residents an opportunity to share feedback with the Mayor and Council on the proposed rate adjustments.
Following public input, the City Council approved Resolution No. R25-022 on Oct. 28, 2025, adopting the updated utility and landfill rates and Capacity fees. The new rates will help fund staffing, maintenance, equipment, and infrastructure upgrades, including replacement of meters, utility poles, mains, and electric feeders; improvements to production wells and arsenic treatment systems; and continued compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.
Copies of the approved Resolution and Utilities Rate Study are available at: https://www.cityofsafford.us/913/Public-Information-Office
The updated Rates are detailed below:
Water Development Capacity Fee Current Effective (11-28-2025)
Based on Water Meter Size:
5/8 & ¾ Inch $3,822.00 $500 + Initial Meter Cost
1 & 1 and ¼ Inch $6,383.00 $1,250 + Initial Meter Cost
1 and ½ Inch $12,728.00 $2,500 + Initial Meter Cost
2 Inch $20,373.00 $4,000 + Initial Meter Cost
3 Inch $40,784.00 $8,000 + Initial Meter Cost
4 Inch $63,718.00 $12,500 + Initial Meter Cost
6 Inch (New) $25,000 + Initial Meter Cost
Sewer Development Capacity Fee Current Effective (11-28-2025)
Based on Water Meter Size:
5/8 & ¾ Inch $2,183.00 $500 + Initial Meter Cost
1 & 1 and ¼ Inch $3,646.00 $1,250 + Initial Meter Cost
1 and ½ Inch $7,271.00 $2,500 + Initial Meter Cost
2 Inch $11,638.00 $4,000 + Initial Meter Cost
3 Inch $23,299.00 $8,000 + Initial Meter Cost
4 Inch $36,401.00 $12,500 + Initial Meter Cost
6 Inch (New) $25,000 + Initial Meter Cost
Electricity Fees Current Effective (11-28-2025)
Residential Customer Charge:
Per Month $9.00 $9.00
Per Day $0.30 $0.30
Energy Charge:
Per kWh/All kWh $0.0733 $0.0623
Purchase Power Cost Adjuster/Per kWh $0.023 $0.055
Pumping Service Customer Charge:
Per Month $12.00 $12.00
Per Day $0.40 $0.40
Energy Charge:
Per kWh/All kWh $0.10 $0.085
Purchase Power Cost Adjuster/Per kWh $0.023 $0.055
Small Commercial Service Customer Charge:
Per Month $12.00 $12.00
Per Day $0.40 $0.40
Energy Charge:
Per kWh/All kWh $0.094 $0.0799
Purchase Power Cost Adjuster/Per kWh $0.023 $0.055
Large Commercial Demand Customer Charge:
Per Month $50.00 $50.00
Per Day $1.60 $1.60
Energy Charge:
Demand Per kWh/All kWh $10.00 $10.00
Purchase Power Cost Adjuster/Per kWh $0.060 $0.051
Solar Residential Customer Charge:
Per Month $6.00
Per Day $0.20
Excess Generation Credit Per kWh/All kWh $0.0293
Solar Small Commercial Customer Charge:
Per Month $6.00
Per Day $0.20
Excess Generation Credit Per kWh/All kWh $0.035
Solar Large Commercial Customer Charge:
Per Month $6
Per Day $0.20
Excess Generation Credit Per kWh/All kWh $0.106
Gas Fees Current Effective (11-28-2025)
Residential:
Per Month $15.00 $16.80
Per Day $0.4932 $0.56
Delivery per MCF $5.10 $5.71
Commodity Per MCF $6.04 $3.75
Small Commercial:
Per Month $17.00 $19.04
Per Day $0.5589 $0.6347
Delivery per MCF $5.10 $5.71
Commodity Per MCF $6.04 $3.75
Medium Commercial:
Per Month $25.00 $28.00
Per Day $0.8219 $0.9333
Delivery per MCF $4.60 $5.71
Commodity Per MCF $6.04 $3.75
Large Commercial:
Per Month $50.00 $56.00
Per Day $1.6438 $1.8667
Delivery per MCF $4.30 $5.71
Commodity Per MCF $6.04 $3.75
Water Fees Current Effective (11-28-2025)
Safford Residential and Commercial New Meter Charges (Base Rate):
5/8 & ¾ Inch $27.32 $27.87
1 & 1 and ¼ Inch $32.71 $33.36
1 and ½ Inch $46.08 $47.00
2 Inch $62.18 $63.42
3 Inch $105.16 $107.26
Water Fees Current Effective (11-28-2025)
4 Inch $153.46 $156.53
6 Inch $287.58 $293.33
8 Inch $448.58 $457.55
Safford Residential and Commercial Consumption Charge (per 1000 gallons):
Tier 1: 3,001 – 8,000 $2.11 (3001 – 20000) $2.11
Tier 2: 8,001 – 12,000 $3.06 (20001 – 40,000) $2.64
Tier 3: 12,001 – 16,000 $5.15 (40,001+) $3.19
Tier 4: 16,001 – 25,000 $3.99
Tier 5: 25,001 – 40,000 $4.83
Tier 6: 40,001 and Above $6.03
Safford City – Industrial Consumption Charges (per 1000 gallons):
All Users $2.11 $2.47
Meter Construction (Fire Hydrant) Consumption Charge (per 1000 gallons):
All Users $5.15 $6.03
Multi-Family Residential Meter Charge:
Per Unit $11.15
Multi-Family Residential Consumption Charge (per 1000 gallons):
All Users $2.47
Thatcher Residential and Commercial New Meter Charges (Base Rate):
5/8 & ¾ Inch $30.05 $30.65
1 & 1 and ¼ Inch $35.98 $36.70
1 and ½ Inch $50.69 $51.70
2 Inch $68.40 $69.77
3 Inch $115.69 $118.00
4 Inch $168.83 $172.21
6 Inch $316.39 $322.72
8 Inch $493.52 $503.39
Thatcher Residential and Commercial Consumption Charge (per 1000 gallons):
Tier 1: 3,001 – 8,000 $2.32 (3001 – 20000) $2.32
Tier 2: 8,001 – 12,000 $3.37 (20001 – 40,000) $2.90
Tier 3: 12,001 – 16,000 $5.67 (40,001+) $3.51
Tier 4: 16,001 – 25,000 $4.39
Tier 5: 25,001 – 40,000 $5.31
Tier 6: 40,001 and Above $6.64
Thatcher Industrial Consumption Charges (per 1000 gallons):
All Users $2.33 $2.90
Thatcher Meter Construction (Fire Hydrant) Consumption Charge (per 1000 gallons):
All Users $5.67 $6.03
Thatcher Multi-Family Residential Meter Charge:
Per Unit $12.26
Thatcher Multi-Family Residential Consumption Charge (per 1000 gallons):
All Users $2.72
County (Unincorporated) Residential and Commercial New Meter Charges (Base Rate):
5/8 & ¾ Inch $34.15 $34.83
1 & 1 and ¼ Inch $40.89 $41.71
1 and ½ Inch $57.59 $58.74
2 Inch $77.71 $79.26
3 Inch $131.43 $134.06
4 Inch $191.79 $195.63
6 Inch $359.39 $366.58
8 Inch $560.59 $571.80
County (Unincorporated) Residential and Commercial Consumption Charge (per 1000
gallons):
Tier 1: 3,001 – 8,000 $2.64 (3001 – 20000) $2.64
Tier 2: 8,001 – 12,000 $3.83 (20001 – 40,000) $3.30
Tier 3: 12,001 – 16,000 $6.44 (40,001+) $3.99
Tier 4: 16,001 – 25,000 $4.99
Tier 5: 25,001 – 40,000 $6.03
Tier 6: 40,001 and Above $7.54
County (Unincorporated) Industrial Consumption Charges (per 1000 gallons):
All Users $2.64 $3.09
County (Unincorporated) Meter Construction (Fire Hydrant) Consumption Charge (per
1000 gallons):
All Users $6.44 $7.54
County (Unincorporated) Multi-Family Residential Meter Charge:
Per Unit $13.93
County (Unincorporated) Multi-Family Residential Consumption Charge (per 1000
gallons):
All Users $3.09
Wastewater Fees Current Effective (11-28-2025)
City of Safford Residential Fees:
Base fee (Including up to 7200 Gal/Month) $36.00 $36.00
Per 1000 gallons greater than 7200 Gal $5.57 $5.57
City of Safford Winter Irrigation Rate:
Base Rate: $58.00 $36.00
Per 1000 gallon use greater than 7200 gal $5.57
Single Resident Monthly Max. $87.00 Removed
Residential Fees Outside City Limits:
Base fee (Including up to 7200 Gal/Month) $36.00 $36.00
Per 1000 gallon use greater than 7200 Gal $5.57 $5.57
Winter Irrigation Rate Outside City Limits: $87.00 Removed
Base Rate (Including up to 7200 gal/month) $58.00
Per 1000 gallons greater than 7200 gal $5.57
Commercial Gallon Multiplier:
Base Rate (Including 7200 gal/month) $36.00 $36.00
Per 1000 gallons greater than 7200 gal $5.57 $5.57
Commercial Gallon Multiplier is Capped at 1.5
Meter Sewer:
Base Rate: $16.00
Per 1000 gal $5.57
Liquid Septage Haulers:
Charge per 1000 gallons $67.00 $67.00
Sanitation/Trash Pickup Fees Current Effective (11-28-2025)
Residential Rates:
Residential Collection $19.86 $21.00
Residential Extra Cart $10.00 $10.00
Additional Residential Bulk Pickup $11.45 $12.00
Per cubic yard (over 4 cubic yards)
Commercial Sanitation Rates (1 pickup per week):
300 Gallon $28.34 $36.00
2 Cubic Yards $37.80 $56.70
3 Cubic Yards $56.68 $75.38
4 Cubic Yards $75.56 $94.45
Commercial Sanitation Rates (1 pickup per week): Continued
6 Cubic Yards $113.36 $124.70
8 Cubic Yards $151.16 $158.72
Commercial Sanitation Rates (2 pickups per week, cost for each):
90 Gallon $19.86 $30.00
300 Gallon $56.68 $72.00
2 Cubic Yards $75.56 $113.40
3 Cubic Yards $113.36 $150.77
4 Cubic Yards $151.16 $170.81
6 Cubic Yards $226.72 $226.72
8 Cubic Yards $302.28 $317.44
Commercial Sanitation Rates (3 pickups per week, cost for each):
90 Gallon $28.34 $45.00
300 Gallon $85.02 $108.00
2 Cubic Yards $113.36 $170.10
3 Cubic Yards $170.04 $226.15
4 Cubic Yards $226.72 $256.19
6 Cubic Yards $340.08 $340.08
8 Cubic Yards $453.44 $476.15
Commercial Sanitation Rates (4 pickups per week, cost for each):
90 Gallon $37.80 $67.50
300 Gallon $113.36 $144.00
2 Cubic Yards $151.16 $226.80
3 Cubic Yards $226.72 $301.54
4 Cubic Yards $302.28 $341.58
6 Cubic Yards $453.44 $453.44
8 Cubic Yards $604.60 $634.87
Commercial Sanitation Rates (5 pickups per week, cost for each):
90 Gallon $47.22 $101.25
300 Gallon $141.70 $180.00
2 Cubic Yards $188.82 $283.50
3 Cubic Yards $283.40 $376.92
4 Cubic Yards $377.88 $427.00
6 Cubic Yards $566.80 $566.80
8 Cubic Yards $755.72 $793.59
Extra Service (Call Back Service) (each):
90 Gallon N/A $20.00
300 Gallon N/A $25.00
2 Cubic Yards N/A $40.00
3 Cubic Yards N/A $45.00
Extra Service (Call Back Service) (each): Continued
4 Cubic Yards N/A $50.00
6 Cubic Yards N/A $55.00
8 Cubic Yards N/A $60.00
Landfill Fees (New or Changed) Current Effective (11-28-2025)
Rates per Ton (billed in 20 lbs. increments) $52.50 w/ Closure Fee
Effective 11-28-2025, Closure Fee Removed
Inside City Residence & City Vehicles $25.00
(Safford residents receive one free load/month)
Out of City & All In-City and In-County Private $53.00
Haulers
Out of County $63.00
Minimum Rates $12.50 w/ Closure Fee $15.00
(Inside City Residence – up to 1,200 lbs)
(Out of City & All In-City and In-County Private – up to 566 lbs)
Miscellaneous Rates:
Dead livestock and other animals over 70 lbs. $31.25 w/ Closure Fee $35.00
Water Heaters $12.50 w/ Closure Fee $20.00
Washer and Dryers $12.50 w/ Closure Fee $20.00
Certified without refrigerant $12.50 w/ Closure Fee $20.00
With refrigerant $31.75 w/ Closure Fee $30.00
Unloading Assistance:
10 minutes or less $25.00 $50.00
Over 10 minutes (per hour) $60.00 $150.00
Hard to Handle Fee:
Special Handling Fee (added to materials $150.00
requiring special handling)
Asbestos (minimum fee weight) $43.75 w/ Closure Fee $150.00
Mobile home/travel trailer (weight x $125.00 $150.00
tonnage fee)
Mobile home/travel trailer if unable $475.00 ($150+$380)
to be weighed =$530.00
Boats (minimum fee + weight) $62.50 w/ Closure Fee $150.00
Landfill Closure fee 25.00% Removed
(Based on Total Charge)
About the City of Safford
Nestled in the heart of Southeastern Arizona’s Gila Valley, the City of Safford is a vibrant rural community and the largest municipality in Graham County, with a population of just over 10,000. Incorporated in 1901 and becoming a city in 1955, Safford serves as the central hub for Southeastern Arizona. The city operates a wide range of services and facilities, supported by over 230 dedicated staff members, including full-time employees, seasonal workers, volunteer firefighters, and council members. In addition to providing essential utilities such as gas, water, electricity, wastewater, and sanitation, the City of Safford operates a golf course, an airport, a library, and a landfill that serve the broader county. Safford is committed to providing exceptional services and fostering a thriving community for all residents and visitors.
