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St. Helens council advances two ordinances to refer general services fee to voters, adds 5-year review
Summary
The St. Helens City Council voted to advance two ordinances for first reading that would place either a $35.30-or-$24-per-EDU general services fee on the May ballot; council added a mandatory five‑year budget-committee review and scheduled second readings to meet election deadlines.
ST. HELENS, Ore. — The St. Helens City Council on Feb. 11 approved the first reading of two ordinances that would allow voters to decide whether to impose a general services fee to shore up an estimated $2.2 million general‑fund shortfall.
City staff presented three options: Ordinance 3321 would set a $35.30 per EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) monthly fee in the first year to maintain current staffing and services and create a 20% reserve; Ordinance 3322 would set a $24 per EDU monthly fee that staff said would require about $2.456 million in staffing and service reductions while still targeting a 20% reserve. Staff said the fee would be in effect for 10 years if adopted and would be adjusted annually by the consumer price index.
“The fee affects every EDU,” Mayor (unnamed) said during public comment…
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