St. Helens to ask residents to pay $24 monthly fee in May election Read more at: https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2
Facing a budget deficit, the city of St. Helens is asking its residents to vote on an additional monthly fee to fund city services.
In the upcoming election May 19, St. Helens voters will decide whether to support a $24 monthly fee on their water bills to boost the city’s general fund budget. The city council voted 4-0 to refer the fee to the ballot, with Council President Jessica Chilton absent.
The $24 fee proposal prevailed over a similar $35.30 fee that was also considered as a solution to the city’s looming $2.2 million budget deficit.
Should the majority of voters vote in favor of the fee, it would be charged monthly to all housing units in the city — both homeowners and renters — through utility bills, which comes out to $288 annually.
https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2026/02/26/st-helens-to-ask-residents-to-pay-24-monthly-fee-in-may-election-2/