HomeMy WebLinkAbout8266RESOLUTION NO 8266
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS
ESTABLISHING A UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO ASSIST
INCOME -QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL UTILITY CUSTOMERS
WHEREAS, water, wastewater, and solid waste rates have increased at a higher rate than
the consumer price index over the past several decades, not just in Redlands, but also across the
country, and
WHEREAS, such rate increases are necessary m order for the City to maintain and operate
the utility systems and to comply with new and existing regulations imposed by state and federal
agencies, and
WHEREAS, Chapter 3 41 of the City of Redlands Municipal Code requires water and
wastewater utility rates to be reviewed bi-annually by a Utility Advisory Committee ("UAC"), and
WHEREAS, to partially mitigate the financial impacts of the potential increases
recommended dunng UAC rate reviews, the City Council has directed staff to develop a utility bill
assistance program for income -qualified residential rate payers, and
WHEREAS, the Utility Bill Assistance Program will improve the affordability of City
utilities for underserved families, thereby facilitating broader access for the public and expanded
cost recovery for the City, and
WHEREAS, the Utility Bill Assistance Program is an effective way to address income
disparity and inequality within the community, and
WHEREAS, the Utility Bill Assistance Program will be funded using non -rate revenues,
such as late fees which are not subject to Proposition 218,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Redlands as
follows
Section 1 A program to assist income -qualified residential customers is established as
set forth in Exhibit 'A' herein
Section 2 This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption, however, the
program established by this Resolution shall become operative on or after January 31, 2022
ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED t)us 16th day of November, 2021
ATTEST
nne Donaldson, City Clerk
Paul T Banch, Mayor
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I, Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk of the City of Redlands, hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution was duly adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on the 16th day
of November, 2021
AYES Councilmembers Tejeda, Davis, Guzman -Lowry, Mayor Barich
NOES Councilmember Foster
ABSENT None
ABSTAINED None
e Donaldson, City Clerk
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EXHIBIT "A"
City of Redlands — Utility Bill Assistance Program
The City's Utility Bill Assistance Program is a $10 per month, $20 bi-monthly bill credit applied
to an eligible customer's total account balance.
A customer is eligible to receive this assistance if:
1 The utility account is in their name; and
2 The utility account is for an individually metered residence; and
3 The customer resides at the service address, and
4 The customer demonstrates proof of current enrollment in one or more of the following
subsidy programs at their current utility service address
• Southern California Edison's California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program
5 The customer notifies that City within 30 days if their eligibility changes during the one-
year period covered by their application.
6 The customer re -applies annually according to guidelines developed by the Customer
Service / Utility Billing division.
In order to apply for rate assistance, an application must be completed and returned together with
proof of eligibility to the City of Redlands — Customer Service Division. After verification of
eligibility, a $10 monthly / $20 bi-monthly rate reduction will be applied to the customer's utility
account in subsequent billings.
Bill reduction is not retroactive and will only apply to accounts from the approval date forward.
Fees and penalties applied to accounts with low income assistance are not adjusted.
The amount of the monthly/bi-monthly discount will be offered to eligible customers for the
program's duration, as set by City Council and contingent upon appropriations approved by
Council.
The discount is effective for one year Once enrolled, customers will be required to renew
eligibility for the rate assistance program every year in November with enrollment effective the
following January through December or until eligibility status changes, whichever is sooner
It should be noted that households residing in multi -unit structures, where one master meter
provides service for multiple units within a property, are not eligible for this program. The
program is meter -based and therefore based upon account ownership
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