Explanation
The City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities offers a Low-Income Water and Sewer Discount Program to qualifying customers. A 20% discount is available on water and sewer consumption charges for qualifying low-income customers. In 2023, the department offered a one-time $60 bill credit for approved customers. This credit was made possible due to the City's receipt of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which were appropriated to the City's Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Enough ARPA balance remains that City intends to issue a one-time $65 bill credit for approved customers. Some approved customers will receive $5 if they received the $60 credit in 2023.
The purpose of this legislation is to transfer funds totaling the amount of the bill credits issued to date from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Water Operating Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is sufficient budget authority available in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund’s Budget to fund the transfer, which totals $298,875.00.
$321,666.00 was transferred in 2023
$0.00 was transferred in 2022
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to transfer $298,875.00 between Object Classes within the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Budget; and to authorize the City Auditor to transfer $298,875.00 from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Water Operating Fund to reimburse the Water Operating Fund for one-time bill credits issued as part of the Low Income Water and Sewer Discount Program. ($298,875.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities offers a Low-Income Water and Sewer Discount Program to qualifying customers; and
WHEREAS, during 2023, the Department offered a one-time $60 bill credit for approved customers; and
WHEREAS, due to remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Department wishes to offer a one-time $65 bill credit for approved customers in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities has a need to transfer $298,875.00 between Object Classes within the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (Fund 2209). Funds for the transfer have been identified and are available in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services); and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities has a need to transfer $298,875.00 between the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Water Operating Fund in order to reimburse the Water Operating Fund for one-time bill credits issued to qualifying customers; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the City Auditor to process these transfers; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the transfer of $298,875.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 2209 (Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund), from Dept-Div 6001 (Public Utilities Director's Office), object class 03 (Purchased Services) to Dept-Div 6001 (Public Utilities Director's Office), object class 10 (Transfers Out) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $298,875.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from Fund 2209 (Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund), Dept-Div 6001 (Public Utilities Director's Office) to Fund 6000 (Water Operating Fund), Dept-Div 6009 (Division of Water) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.