Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to transfer funds from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Water Operating Fund.
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. In 2025, a one-time credit was also offered for approved low-income Power customers.
Enough ARPA balance remains for the City to provide additional support. From the remaining balance of $34,036.00, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) identified up to $23,059.54 that can be used to help 87 senior citizens avoid water service disconnection.
Customer eligibility criteria for the proposed use of the remaining funds is as follows:
· Customer receives a senior citizen discount.
· Customer has a delinquent balance that is more than 30 days past due and is at risk of disconnection.
· Customer is an active tenant or a verified property owner (based on auditor records) and not listed as deceased.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is sufficient budget authority available in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund’s Budget to fund the $23,059.54 transfer. These funds were originally encumbered on ACDI002426 per the authorization in Ordinance 2501-2024, and transferred to ACDI002550, per the authorization in Ordinance 0915-2026.
$673,675.00 was transferred in 2025
$298,875.00 was transferred in 2024
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to transfer $23,059.54 from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Water Operating Fund to reimburse that fund for the cost of helping eligible senior citizen customers avoid disconnection. ($23,059.54)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department offered a one-time $60 bill credit in 2023 and a one-time $65 bill credit in 2024...
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