Explanation
The Division of Water would like to amend Chapter 1105 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, regarding the age at which a person may be considered an "eligible senior consumer". Under current Columbus City Codes, Division of Water Code 1105.01 Definitions, one of the parameters that defines "eligible senior consumer" is that of being age sixty-five (65) years or older. This legislation will change that parameter to age sixty (60) years or older.
FISCAL IMPACT: It is estimated that the fiscal impact will be negligible, (less than $5,000 annually). Prior to the advent of this legislation, there were 1,126 accounts with eligible senior citizen households that were not being charged for the monthly water service charge. This equates to a cost to the City of $44,859.84 annually. If eligible senior citizens age sixty (60) to sixty-five (65) are allowed to participate in the program that permits reduction of the monthly water service charge to zero dollars, it is estimated that participation in the program will increase by 10%. This would result in a cost increase of $4,486 annually.
Title
To amend Chapter 1105 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, regarding the age at which a person may be considered an "eligible senior consumer".
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water maintains a program that eliminates the monthly service charge for eligible senior customers, and
WHEREAS, prior to this legislation, only those eligible senior consumers age sixty-five (65) or older were eligible for this program, and
WHEREAS, the Division of Water would like to extend eligibility for this program to eligible senior consumers age sixty (60) or older, and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Division of Water, Department of Public Utilities, to authorize the Council of the City of Columbus to amend Chapter 1105 of the Columbus City Codes, to extend the age parameters of eligible senior citizens to age sixty (60) or older, for the preservation of public health, peace, property and safety; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That Section 1105.01 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, be amended by changing the following language:
1105.01 Definitions.
"Eligible senior consumer" shall mean any customer who applies for and receives certification by the division of water that he or she (a) receives service by means of a single meter, registering to a single-family residence; (b) is personally or whose spouse is personally responsible (c) is sixty-five (65) sixty (60) years of age or older and (d) has a total income for a one (1) person household not greater than seven thousand eight hundred dollars ($7,800.00) or one hundred fifty (150) percent of the federally established poverty level, whichever is greater; or a total income for a two (2) or more person household of one hundred fifty (150) percent of the federally established poverty level, as defined by the poverty threshold statistic statistics published annually by the Poverty Statistic Branch of the Bureau of the Census.
"Front foot" shall mean the frontage which that abuts on the street right-of-way.
Section 2. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.