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St. Helens council directs staff to draft ballot measure requiring voter approval for new nonutility fees
Summary
Council voted to send language to staff for a ballot referral that would amend the city charter to require voter approval before the council adds new fees to utility bills that are unrelated to utility service.
The St. Helens City Council on July 16 directed staff to draft a ballot referral that would amend the city charter to require voter approval for any new fees placed on utility bills that are unrelated to utility service.
The motion, which passed unanimously, asked staff and council to prepare referral language for council review and to return it for further discussion before a final action to place the measure on the ballot.
Why it matters: supporters said the change would protect voters from what they described as fee increases made without direct voter input and would add transparency to how the city attaches nonutility charges to utility bills.
What the council voted to do: Councilor Gunderson moved to “direct staff and council to draft a referral measure for the ballot that abends the city charter by requiring voter approval of any new fees on the utility bills that are unrelated to the utility service and to bring that referral measure text to the city council for further review and discussion.” The motion was seconded and passed; recorded votes were Councilor Sandeep — aye; Councilor Hubbard — aye; Councilor Gunderson — aye; Mayor Jennifer Massey — aye.
Discussion and context: during the work-session item and later discussion, councilors and residents asked that any referral include a sunset or paydown clause so that fees tied to loan payments would expire once the loan was repaid. Councilor Sandeep asked for a sunset provision; council members said they had discussed language that would include the original purpose, initial amounts, and an expiration after obligations were met.
Public comment and background: multiple residents, including Nick Florey and Adam Schape, urged that voters be given a direct choice on fee increases and recommended a temporary freeze on new fees until a council-approved reserve target is met.
Ending: Staff will draft proposed ballot language for council review; the council did not set a final election date during the July 16 meeting.
