SAWS

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is confronting a series of politically difficult decisions involving water rates, property taxes and the use of a city-owned entertainment venue for a concert with Kanye West, the rapper whose current legal name is Ye.

In a narrow, 6-5 vote Thursday, city council members pushed back any decision on water rates until October.

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones faces a consequential City Council vote on water rates while also pushing a new voter-engagement initiative and finding time to defend the city from Charles Barkley.

The city proposed a convention center hotel on the site of the San Antonio Water System's cooling plant. A price tag of $300 million to move the facility changed plans for Project Marvel.

Monthly bills will be about $19 more by 2030.

There's more public debate ahead on the proposed water rate hike.

If approved, the average monthly water bill for residential customers would increase by around 8% starting July 1.

Supplies are limited. It's a good time to get some heat-tolerant plants in the ground this time of year.

Public hearings on the rate hikes are scheduled for April 7 and May 5.

A relentless drought continues for a seventh straight spring in the San Antonio area.