Laserfiche WebLink
discount, an increase of 400 households over the past five (5) years for <br /> water/sewer base fees. Mr. Miller recognized that Roseville was home to a lot of <br /> seniors and with the number of baby boomers in their 50's, it was possible that the <br /> program could see an increase of 40% - 45% over the next decade. <br /> Unfortunately, Mr. Miller observed that some other customer had to make it up. <br /> While the City Council has discussed this program, to-date they have left the <br /> program alone. Mr. Miller advised that, if the intent of the discount program was <br /> that younger households were subsidizing older households, then this program <br /> was more than meeting those goals and objectives and working wonderfully. <br /> However, if not, Mr. Miller suggested a serious look at the program to determine <br /> whether it's achieving the desired outcome. Mr. Miller asked that the PWETC <br /> provide their thoughts to the City Council. <br /> Chair Vanderwall stated that, if this program went from the current eligibility <br /> requirements to means, poverty income guideline-based, he would want a more <br /> detailed analysis as to what rates would support such a program. Even though <br /> that may mean that the base rate would be reduced for some and increased for <br /> others currently receiving the discount since some seniors would still meet <br /> poverty guidelines, Chair Vanderwall opined that he thought that was the right <br /> step to take to make the program and rate structure more equitable; and applicable <br /> to all ages and households, no matter their age, but simply based on income. <br /> Member DeBenedet noted that the conjured image for some time has been that all <br /> senior citizens living on a fixed income have a hard time making end meet. <br /> However, Member DeBenedet opined that the actual reality may be that the <br /> younger families or households may also be living on a fixed income, with limited <br /> savings, and actually having a harder time making ends meeting. Member <br /> DeBenedet spoke in support of a means tested program; again recognizing that <br /> just because he was a senior citizen didn't mean he necessarily qualified for a <br /> discount when someone younger with fewer resources may better qualify for such <br /> a discount. Member DeBenedet also noted that, in recognizing that Roseville's <br /> older infrastructure needed to be addressed and the City was now catching up <br /> with providing a sustainable program, in turn some of the City's senior citizens <br /> had been using that infrastructure longer at a discounted rate. Member <br /> DeBenedet sought additional federal poverty threshold guidelines from staff <br /> specific to Roseville. <br /> Mr. Miller advised that the guidelines were based on a sliding scale, depending on <br /> the number of persons in a household, and based on adjusted gross income. <br /> Member DeBenedet further supported dropping or significantly reducing the <br /> senior discount, while maintaining the discount for those with limited incomes. <br /> Chair Vanderwall spoke in support of a revised discount program at 125%to <br /> 200% of income guidelines, not just at poverty level; however, he noted that it <br /> Page 8 of 22 <br />