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St. Helens council approves water/sewer rate adjustments and a community public-safety fee; proposed garbage rate increase fails
Summary
The St. Helens City Council on June 18 adopted adjustments to utility rates and approved a community public-safety fee after public comment; a proposed increase to the city's garbage and recycling franchise fee failed after council members voted against it.
The St. Helens City Council voted June 18 to adopt updated water, sewer and storm-drainage rates and to add a community public-safety fee to utility bills, while rejecting a proposed increase in garbage and recycling rates from the city's franchise hauler.
The measures came after presentations from staff that tied the adjustments to a 2021 rate study and ongoing operating and capital costs. Mayor Jennifer Massey opened the rate discussion and invited public comment on the items before council action.
Why it matters: The actions revise charges that appear on utility bills for residents and businesses, and the public-safety fee was presented as a line-item addition to help fund public-safety needs. Council members and residents aired concern about the financial impact on fixed-income households and asked that…
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