St. Helens council advances two ordinances to refer general services fee to voters, adds 5-year review

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 clarification, arguing that a fee — unlike a property-tax levy — would reach individual apartment units as well as homeowners. City staff told the council the ordinance would require a dedicated ledger account, quarterly reporting to council and an annual audit review of collections and uses.

Council members discussed alternatives including shortening the term, reducing the fee while lowering the reserve target, and establishing an assistance program. Staff confirmed the draft code (chapter 13.34) includes language allowing council to designate a portion of revenue to provide financial assistance to low‑income individuals; councilors suggested working with local partners such as Community Action to administer that assistance.

To provide additional public oversight, councilors agreed to add an amendment requiring the budget committee to review the fee and make a recommendation to council after five years. City staff told the council that changes to ordinance text generally must be made at the time of first reading if the ordinance is to remain eligible for the upcoming election, so the council incorporated the five‑year review amendment before voting.

Councilors moved and seconded motions to approve the first reading of both Ordinance 3321 and Ordinance 3322, each amended to add the mandatory five‑year budget-committee review. Both motions passed on voice votes and were advanced to second reading, meeting the timeline to be placed on the May citywide ballot if council later refers one of the ordinances by resolution.

The council discussed next steps for public outreach and compliance with state rules about ballot materials; staff recommended beginning safe‑harbor review with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and holding town‑hall–style educational sessions prior to the county filing deadline. The council scheduled second readings and instructed staff to prepare ballot referral materials.

The mayor also made a disclosure under ORS 244.120 that her spouse is employed by the city as a police officer; she said she would participate in the vote after the disclosure. An executive session to consult with legal counsel on litigation was announced following the public meeting, and the chamber was adjourned.

The council will take up second readings of the ordinances at a special meeting two weeks later; if council votes to refer a chosen ordinance the measure would appear on the May citywide ballot.