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. A similar program is in development for low-income Power customers. In 2023 and 2024, the department offered a one-time $60 and $65 bill credit, respectively, for approved Water low-income customers to offset the annual rate increases for those years. These credits were 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 the City intends to issue one-time bill credits for approved Water low-income customers in 2025 and 2026. The City would also like to offer one-time bill credits to Division of Power low-income customers contingent on future rates increases and low-income discount program development.
The purpose of this legislation is to encumber funds from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to be transferred to fund bill credits in 2025 and 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is sufficient budget authority available in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund’s Budget to fund the encumbrance, which totals $707,711.00.
$298,875.00 has been transferred in 2024
$321,666.00 was transferred in 2023
$0.00 was transferred in 2022
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to transfer $707,711.00 between Object Classes within the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $707,711.00 from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for one-time bill credits to be issued as part of the Low-Income Water and Sewer Discount Program for 2025 and 2026 and a future Low Income Power Discount Program. ($707,711.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities offers a Low-Income Water and Sewer Discount Program to qua...
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