SAWS

After a 4-month delay, City Council approved a rate increase for the San Antonio Water System, upping the average monthly bill by nearly $4.

It was the first time SAWS had presented to city council since they pushed back against a rate increase proposal in June.

SAWS has eased some drought restrictions following heavy rainfall last month, but Stage 2 watering rules remain in place.

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.