Saint Helena council weighs pausing water and sewer increases, directs staff to expand low-income aid and return with options

City of Saint Helena officials on April 22 reviewed updated financial forecasts and rate alternatives for the city’s water and wastewater utilities, heard public comment about affordability and cost allocation, and directed staff to pursue targeted affordability and administrative changes rather than immediate rate relief.

Consultant Raftelis presented updated assumptions and four alternatives for each utility: keep the adopted multi‑year rate plan; pause the next year’s increase and keep later increases (a one‑year pause); pause for two years; or enact a one‑time reduction of 5–10% in year one. Raftelis staff said deeper pauses or one‑time reductions would create debt coverage shortfalls and risk the city’s ability to finance planned capital projects. The consulting presentation said a one‑year…