Carefree mayor OK with sewer company rate hike –if odor problem resolved
by Barry Cohen

CAREFREE – Mayor Ed Morgan believes Black Mountain Sewer Co. deserves the 13‑percent  rate increase it has requested from the Arizona Corporation Commission, with one major caveat: first, they must fix the odor and backup problems that have plagued residents of Carefree Estates and The Boulders for the past several years.

“We don’t have a problem with the increase–I believe it’s Black Mountain’s first in about nine years,” said Morgan. “But before they get it, the citizens have a right for the odor to go away.”

Town Administrator Jonathan Pearson and several Carefree residents attended last week’s corporation commission hearing to protest the sewer company’s requested rate boost.

Bob Williams, vice president of the north Boulders homeowners association, asked the commission to refuse the rate increase based on Black Mountain’s inability to satisfactorily serve its customers. He acknowledged that the company has taken steps in the past to correct the odor problem, but pointed out that it  persists. “These are Band‑Aid patches, it appears, or the problem would have been solved or greatly reduced,” said Williams.

Morgan said he has spoken with the new director of Black Mountain, Bob Dodds, and is confident Dodds is dedicated to getting the issue resolved to residents’ satisfaction.

Reach the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com