Public Infrastructure May 27, 2026 Committee

The City of St. Louis Public Infrastructure Committee convened on May 27, 2026, to review Board Bill 25 concerning significant water rate increases aimed at restoring the financial solvency of the city's water division. The water division faces a depleted contingency fund due to operating deficits, a moratorium on water shutoffs, and rising costs. The proposed solution includes phased rate increases over six years, leveraging American Rescue Plan Act funds, and issuing bonds to finance a $700 million capital improvement plan focused on water main replacements and infrastructure upgrades. The bill also introduces an affordability rate providing a 50% subsidy for qualifying residential customers to mitigate the impact on low-income households. Committee members and public commenters discussed the necessity of the rate increases, the impact on large water users currently receiving subsidized rates, and the challenges of transitioning from flat-rate to metered billing. The committee voted unanimously to advance the bill, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the water division's financial crisis and infrastructure needs while maintaining transparency and affordability for residents.