Explanation
Background:
The Department of Public Utilities proposed and Columbus City Council approved a water and sewer commodity rate reduction of fifteen percent for direct customers defined as low income residential customers. Members of City Council directed the department to convene a taskforce to find a way to extend the discount to indirect low income customers served by master metered accounts. A report was presented to City Council on March 13, 2006 that in part contained a recommendation to allow the discount for a master metered account where the owner of the property has certified to the Director of Public Utilities satisfaction that eighty (80) percent or more of the tenants of the building or complex meet the definition of low income residential customer as defined in Section 1105.21 and 1147.19 of Columbus City Code and to allow the discount if the City of Columbus Low Income Discount Program is adopted by a Master Meter Suburban Community. The City of Columbus will extend the same opportunity for discounts and financial relief as available for low income residents who are direct users.
This ordinance requests amendment of Section 1105.21, (D) and 1147.19, (D) of Columbus City Code to allow for the fifteen (15) percent discount to qualifying master meter accounts and adds Sections 1105.21, (E) and 1147.19, (E) to allow participation by Master Meter Suburban Communities.
The ordinance also deletes current language in 1105.21, (D) and 1147.19, (D) directing the department to convene a taskforce and report to City Council within sixty days. This requirement has been fulfilled and the current language is no longer needed.
Fiscal Impact:
No significant fiscal impact is expected in revenues of the water or sanitary sewer enterprise funds in 2006. Any future impacts will be estimated and addressed during rate setting for 2007.
Title
To amend Chapters 1105 and 1147 of Columbus City Codes 1959, to allow a fifteen (15) percent commodity rate discount to qualifying customers of the water and sewer enterprises.
Body
Whereas, City Council finds that adopting a discounted commodity rate for low income customers is a recognized method for helping to alleviate the impacts of increased water and sewer rates; and
Whereas, City Council directed the Department of Public Utilities to find a way to extend the discount to indirect customers; and
Whereas, the department recommends allowing the discount to a master metered account where the owner of the property has certified to the Director of Public Utilities satisfaction that eighty (80) percent or more of the tenants of the building or complex meet the definition of low income residential customer as defined in Section 1105.21 and 1147.19 of Columbus City Code; and
Whereas, the department recommends allowing the discount if the City of Columbus Low Income Discount Program is adopted by a Master Meter Suburban Community; and
Whereas, City Council finds that that the recommended extension of the commodity rate discount to master metered accounts and Master Meter Suburban Communities is in the best interests of low income customers; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That Sections 1105.21, (D) and Section 1147.19, (D) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, be and are hereby amended to read as follows:
1105.21 Low income discount for commodity charges.
(A) For purposes of this section, "low income residential customer" is defined as a direct residential customer of the city (whether inside the city or outside the city) who is eligible for food stamp benefits, Ohio Medicaid, Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), Home Energy Assistance (HEAP), Ohio Works First, social security disability, public housing benefits, Homestead Exemption or any other state or federal low income assistance program acceptable to the director.
(B) All low income residential customers may receive a fifteen (15) percent discount on the commodity portion of their water bill. This discount will be available to the low income residential customer upon application to and approval of the department of public utilities.
(C) The director may adopt regulations necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this section. Regulations promulgated, pursuant to this chapter by the director shall be published in the City Bulletin, with copies of the regulations being available for public review at the director's office and other locations which may be designated by the director.
(D) Columbus city council charged the department of public utilities to develop a tiered system to provide low-income users financial relief, in light of the rate increases that are mandated by federal clean water standards. Council appreciates the great progress made. However, more needs to be done to ensure that low-income residents who are not direct utility system customers have the same opportunity for discounts and financial relief as available to low-income residents who are direct users. To that end, the public utilities department shall convene a task force within thirty (30) days to study ways to provide assistance to low-income indirect users, and to provide city council with recommendations no later than sixty (60) days thereafter. (Ord. 1905-05 § 4.) Master metered properties are eligible to receive a fifteen (15) percent discount on the commodity portion of their water bill if the property owner proves to the satisfaction of the director that eighty (80) percent or more of the rental units are participants in qualifying programs outlined in 1105.21, (A). If the eighty (80) percent threshold is met, the entire building or complex will be eligible to receive the fifteen (15) percent commodity rate discount. The discount shall be applied to the master meter bill. Property owners must transmit the full benefit of the discount to residents through the resident's utility billing from the property owner or agent.
(E) Master metered suburban community customers are eligible to receive the low income discount if the master metered suburban customer adopts the low income discount program as described in Sections 1105 and 1147 of Columbus City Code. Participating master metered suburban community customers must provide a detailed listing of all qualifying customers and their commodity usage prior to application of the discount to the mastered metered account billing. The discount shall apply only to the measured commodity usage of qualifying customers within the master metered suburban community's customer accounts.
1147.19 Low income discount for commodity charges.
(A) For purposes of this section, "low income residential customer" is defined as a direct residential customer of the city (whether inside the city or outside the city) who is eligible for food stamp benefits, Ohio Medicaid, Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), Home Energy Assistance (HEAP), Ohio Works First, social security disability, public housing benefits, Homestead Exemption or any other state or federal low income assistance program acceptable to the director.
(B) All low income residential customers may receive a fifteen (15) percent discount on the commodity portion of their sewer bill. This discount will be available to the low residential customer upon application to and approval of the department of public utilities.
(C) The director may adopt regulations necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this section. Regulations promulgated, pursuant to this chapter by the director shall be published in the City Bulletin, with copies of the regulations being available for public review at the director's office and other locations which may be designated by the director.
(D) Columbus city council charged the department of public utilities to develop a tiered system to provide low-income users financial relief, in light of the rate increases that are mandated by federal clean water standards. Council appreciates the great progress made. However, more needs to be done to ensure that low-income residents who are not direct utility system customers have the same opportunity for discounts and financial relief as available to low-income residents who are direct users. To that end, the public utilities department shall convene a task force within thirty (30) days to study ways to provide assistance to low-income indirect users, and to provide city council with recommendations no later than sixty (60) days thereafter. (Ord. 1904-05 § 2.) Master metered properties are eligible to receive a fifteen (15) percent discount on the commodity portion of their sewer bill if the property owner proves to the satisfaction of the director that eighty (80) percent or more of the rental units are participants in qualifying programs outlined in 1105.21, (A). If the eighty (80) percent threshold is met, the entire building or complex will be eligible to receive the fifteen (15) percent commodity rate discount. The discount shall be applied to the master meter bill. Property owners must transmit the full benefit of the discount to residents through the resident's utility billing from the property owner or agent.
(E) Master metered suburban community customers are eligible to receive the low income discount if the master metered suburban customer adopts the low income discount program as described in Sections 1105 and 1147 of Columbus City Code. Participating master metered suburban community customers must provide a detailed listing of all qualifying customers and their commodity usage prior to application of the discount to the mastered metered account billing. The discount shall apply only to the measured commodity usage of qualifying customers within the master metered suburban community's customer accounts.
Section 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.