Higher fines and a new surcharge for heavy water users are among the new proposed drought rules up for a vote before the San Antonio City Council on Thursday.

San Antonio Water System trustees approved big changes to rules for how customers can water their lawns and how they’re punished for heavy water use during drought periods.

The San Antonio Water System is considering big changes to its rules for how its customers can water their lawns and how they’re punished for heavy water use during drought periods.

The San Antonio City Council voted 8-3 Thursday morning for the second increase in two years of CPS Energy’s gas and electric rates. This latest rate hike is expected to cost the average residential customer an additional $4.45 per month after it takes effect in February 2024.

The board voted 5-0 to approve the proposed increase of 4.25% to the base rates, raising the average customer’s monthly bill by $4.45. The city-owned utility still needs the approval of the San Antonio City Council, which meets on Dec. 7.

The CPS Energy Board of Trustees voted 5-0 Monday to approve a rate hike proposal by the utility.

The city-owned gas and electric utility will request an increase of its gas and electric base rates by 4.25% from both the CPS Energy Board of Trustees and San Antonio City Council on Nov. 8 - a move it says would raise many customers’ bills by less than $5.

The city-owned gas and electric utility will request an increase of its gas and electric base rates by 4.25% from both the CPS Energy Board of Trustees and San Antonio City Council on Nov. 8 - a move it says would raise many customers’ bills by less than $5.

A proposal to stave off future CPS Energy rate increases by taking a smaller cut of its revenues has evolved into a smaller-scale plan to send money back to the utility only when its revenues far exceed estimates. City staff say the idea won’t prevent a rate increase, but it could mean those increases are smaller than they would be otherwise.

A San Antonio councilwoman thinks cutting the city’s $3.7 billion budget proposal could help cut help the legs out from an expected CPS Energy rate increase.