Chapter 13.02 LOW-INCOME, LOW-INCOME DISABLED AND LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN UTILITY CREDIT PROGRAM

Chapter 13.02
LOW-INCOME, LOW-INCOME DISABLED AND LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN UTILITY CREDIT PROGRAM

Sections:

13.02.010 Program established – Purpose – Administrative authority.

13.02.020 Utility credits – Eligibility – Requirements.

13.02.030 Utility credits – Eligibility – Time limit.

13.02.040 Utility credits – Issued as billing credits – Amounts designated.

13.02.050 Utility credits – Manner of issuance.

13.02.060 Utility credits – Apportionment – Authority.

13.02.070 Unlawful acts designated – Penalty.

13.02.010 Program established – Purpose – Administrative authority.

A program for credits to the billings for water, sewer and storm drainage utility services provided by the city for certain recipients of Supplemental Security Income (hereinafter SSI), Social Security Disability Income (hereinafter SSDI), pursuant to 42 United States Code, as now or hereafter amended, and certain other disabled and low‑income persons as hereinafter defined, is established in order to provide necessary support for the poor and disabled. The city treasurer is authorized and directed to administer the program and in such connection may promulgate forms and administrative regulations from time to time, to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997; Ord. 2490 § 1, 1995; Ord. 2344 § 1, 1993; Ord. 2120 § 1, 1988; Ord. 2110 § 1, 1988).

13.02.020 Utility credits – Eligibility – Requirements.

A. To implement the program provided for in this chapter, utility credits shall be issued to each person who shows satisfactory proof that he or she:

1. Meets the requirements of low-income, low-income disabled or low-income senior citizen as defined in Chapter 13.01 PTMC; and

2. Is a single occupant or the head of a household or the spouse of the head of the household; and

3. Resides in a dwelling unit served directly by the city’s water, sewer or storm drainage utilities; and

4. Is billed or is the spouse of a person billed by the water, sewer or storm drainage utilities of the city; and

5. The applicant shall provide the city treasurer with a current statement of eligibility for SSI, SSDI or such disability pension or proof of blindness and such statement shall not be more than three months old.

B. Applicants, under oath or penalty of perjury, shall verify such information and provide such other data as are deemed appropriate, upon forms and in the manner determined by the city treasurer. (Ord. 2852 § 2, 2004; Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997; Ord. 2490 § 2, 1995; Ord. 2344 § 1, 1993; Ord. 2120 § 2, 1988; Ord. 2110 § 2, 1988).

13.02.030 Utility credits – Eligibility – Time limit.

Eligibility for utility credits provided for by this chapter shall be for a period of one year, or so long as the applicant continues to be eligible for a utility credit under the terms of PTMC 13.02.020, whichever period is shorter. Applications shall be made annually to renew eligibility for utility credits and the credits shall expire on March 31st of each year. Where the recipient of a utility credit either receives income which will no longer allow the recipient to be eligible for the credit, or is no longer disabled or otherwise eligible for the utility credit, such person shall immediately notify the treasurer of such change in status to allow the utility credit to be discontinued. Where a utility credit has been received after a person has become ineligible, a repayment of past credits shall be made or shall be added to the current utility billing for such person. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997; Ord. 2490 § 3, 1995; Ord. 2344 § 1, 1993; Ord. 2120 § 3, 1988; Ord. 2110 § 3, 1988).

13.02.040 Utility credits – Issued as billing credits – Amounts designated.

Effective March 1, 2004, persons qualified by the city treasurer as eligible recipients of utility credits provided for in this chapter shall be granted billing credits in the following stated monthly, or monthly equivalent amounts; provided, however, that in no case shall the amount of the billing credit granted for a utility service exceed the amount owing for that service.

A. Sewer: $19.45/month;

B. Water: $9.29/month;

C. Storm drainage: $2.10/month. (Ord. 2852 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997; Ord. 2490 § 4, 1995; Ord. 2344 § 1, 1993; Ord. 2110 § 4, 1988).

13.02.050 Utility credits – Manner of issuance.

Qualified persons receiving sewer, water or storm drainage utility services shall receive utility credits as provided for in this chapter, or in equivalent amounts should the billing period be other than monthly; provided, however, that no qualified person shall receive or accept utility credits to more than one utility bill for the same billing period. The credits shall be made as follows:

A. For qualified persons who receive a sewer, water or storm drainage utility bill directly, the proper credit shall be made on the bill as a reduction to the amount which would otherwise be payable;

B. For qualified persons who do not receive a sewer, water or storm drainage utility bill directly but who pay such utility charges indirectly as part of their rental payment, the proper credit shall be made in the manner determined by the city treasurer upon satisfactory proof in writing that such utility charges in fact are paid by the qualified person indirectly as part of their rental payment. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997; Ord. 2490 § 5, 1995; Ord. 2344 § 1, 1993; Ord. 2110 § 5, 1988).

13.02.060 Utility credits – Apportionment – Authority.

The city treasurer is authorized to apportion the total amount of utility credits made to bills as provided for in this chapter. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997; Ord. 2490 § 6, 1995; Ord. 2344 § 1, 1993; Ord. 2110 § 6, 1988).

13.02.070 Unlawful acts designated – Penalty.

A. The following acts are unlawful:

1. To accept or receive any utility credit provided for by this chapter when or during such time that the person accepting or receiving the same is not eligible;

2. To make any false or untrue statement on any application, form or document filed to qualify for a utility credit, or to continue receiving utility credits under this chapter.

B. Director’s Authority. Whenever the finance director or his or her designee (“director”) determines that a condition exists in violation of this chapter or any standard required to be adhered to by this chapter, or in violation of any permit issued hereunder, he or she is authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

C. Chapter 1.20 PTMC Applicable. All violations of any provision of this chapter or incorporated standards, or of any permit or license issued hereunder, are declared nuisances and made subject to the administration and enforcement provisions of Chapter 1.20 PTMC, including any amendments, and including but not limited to abatement, criminal penalty, and civil penalty as set forth in Chapter 1.20 PTMC, which are incorporated by reference as if set forth herein. (Ord. 2952 § 3, 2008; Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997; Ord. 2490 § 7, 1995; Ord. 2110 § 7, 1988).