San Clemente council approves water and sewer rate hikes
San Clemente City Council voted to raise average residential water bills by 5.7 percent and sewer charges by 8 percent, adding about 2.55 to monthly water and 2.74 to sewer, with protests noted. The budget plan includes police contract renewal with the Orange County Sheriff's Department and funding for the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Association, amid debates on fiscal priorities.