Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to transfer funds totaling the amount of the bill credits issued year-to-date from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Water Operating Fund and to the Power Operating Fund.
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, albeit 25%, is available to 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. 2025 will be the first year a one-time credit is offered for approved low-income Power customers.
Enough ARPA balance remains for the City to cover one-time bill credits for approved Water and Power low-income customers in 2025, with some funding remaining for 2026 credits. The 2025 credits are $65 and $50, respectively.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is sufficient budget authority available in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund’s Budget to fund the $673,675.00 transfer. These funds were encumbered on ACDI002426 per the authorization in Ordinance 2501-2024.
$298,875.00 was transferred in 2024
$321,666.00 was transferred in 2023
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to transfer $655,925.00 from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Water Operating Fund and $17,750.00 from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Power Operating Fund to reimburse those funds for one-time bill credits issued in 2025 ($673,675.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities offers a Low-Income Water and Sewer Discou...
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