2003-02-27_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Date: 2/03/2003 Item No: VIII-A Department Approval: Manager Approved: Agenda Section: Presentations Item Description: Discussion on the Senior Discount Program for City Utilities Background At the November 18, 2002 City Council Mceting, Staff was directed to bring forth additional infomlation and analysis regarding the City's Senior Discount Program for water and sewer service. The additional infomlation was requestcd for the purposes of discussion and evaluation of the Program, to determine whether changes were warranted. Under the City's current Discount Program, eligiblc residential customers receive a discount on the base charge for water and sewer services. There is no discount for the usage charges, or on the StOlmwater or Recycling fee. The following table depicts the 2003 quarterly base charge for water and sewer service. Utility Charge Standard Rate Discount Rate Base Water Charge $ 9.55 $ 5.80 Base Sewer Charge 11.75 7.15 Total $ 21.30 $ 12.95 As is shown in the table, the discount provides a savings of$8.35 per quarter, or $33.40 per year. There are approximately I I ,800 single-family households in Roseville. Of that amount, approximately 2,500 or 21 % are currently receiving the discount. It remains unclear as to the origins of the Program. Staff believes the Program has been in existence for at least the past 20 years, and in all likelihood was an attempt to provide financial assistance to those on fixed incomes and for which it may have been a hardship to meet basic needs. Eligibility Requirements Under the current Program, residential customers are eligible for the discount if they are: o Owner and head of the household of the property; and o Presently receiving retirement, survivors insurance, or disability insurance under the Social Security Act, 42 USC #301, as amended.