St. Helens Development News

City Council Reviews Fee Schedule Updates and Banking Proposals

The council discussed proposed updates to the universal fee schedule, including adjustments to planning department fees, business license fees for rental properties, and wastewater treatment plant fees for septage haulers. The planning department fees will increase by approximately 3.5% to keep pace with inflation, with specific adjustments for right-of-way vacations and non-conforming use determinations. Business license fees for rental properties will revert to an annual model, with residential rates set at \$70 per unit per year and commercial rates at \$95 per unit per year. Wastewater treatment plant fees for septage haulers will see an increase in the dumping fee and the implementation of application and permit renewal fees to cover administrative costs. US Bank presented information on their services and community involvement, highlighting their capacity for municipal operations and their approach to risk management, contrasting it with credit unions that focus on local lending and community benefit. The council also reviewed a banking proposal to move operating funds to US Bank from Wells Fargo due to its ability to handle high volume processing, advanced fraud protection, and robust treasury management systems, while acknowledging that tourism funds would remain with a local credit union.