Chapter 3.38
UTILITY RATES FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR AND LOW-INCOME DISABLED
Sections:
3.38.010 Purpose and findings.
3.38.030 Rate reduction – Applicable utilities.
3.38.040 Application for reduced rate.
3.38.050 Penalty for false information.
3.38.060 Statutory references.
3.38.010 Purpose and findings.
The city council of the city of Deer Park finds that it is appropriate for the city of Deer Park to establish reduced rates for utilities provided by the city to low-income senior and low-income disabled residents of the city. (Ord. 856 § 1, 2008)
3.38.020 Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply to terms used in this chapter:
A. “Senior citizen” means a person who:
1. Resides within the city of Deer Park;
2. Is 62 years of age or older;
3. Receives utility services from the city of Deer Park; and
4. Is the head of a household.
B. “Disabled citizen” means a person who:
1. Resides within the city of Deer Park;
2. Receives utility services from the city of Deer Park;
3. Is the head of a household; and
4. Qualifies for special parking privileges under RCW 46.16.381(1)(a) through (f), or a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020(4), or a person who qualifies for supplemental social security benefits due to a disability.
C. “Low-income” is defined as follows:
1. Every single person whose combined disposable income as defined in RCW 84.36.383(5) is less than the qualifying amount set forth in RCW 84.36.381(5)(b)(ii).
2. Every married couple, constituting a marital community, and whose combined disposable income as defined in RCW 84.36.383(5) is less than the qualifying amount set forth in RCW 84.36.381(5)(a). (Ord. 856 § 1, 2008)
3.38.030 Rate reduction – Applicable utilities.
A. A utility rate reduction shall be applied to the residential monthly utility bills of qualified low-income senior citizens and low-income disabled citizens, in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
B. The amount of the utility rate reduction for garbage and refuse collection, including any adjustments to said rate, shall be as established by the city’s contract with the contracted hauler and is subject to amendment by future contract.
C. The amount of the utility rate reduction for water and sewer (wastewater) services shall be as established by city resolution and is subject to amendment by future city resolutions. (Ord. 856 § 1, 2008)
3.38.040 Application for reduced rate.
A. Applications for utility discounts shall be obtained from and filed with the office of the city clerk-treasurer. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the city clerk-treasurer, and shall contain the information necessary to evaluate the applicant’s qualification for reduced utility rates.
B. Submission of an application for a utility discount shall constitute a verification by the applicant that all information provided in such application is true and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge.
C. Once approved by the city clerk-treasurer, the application shall become effective the next billing cycle following 30 days after approval of the application.
D. Each application is effective for 12 months commencing the first month the reduced rate becomes effective for the applicant. It shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant to reapply for successive 12-month periods of eligibility for reduced utility rates. (Ord. 856 § 1, 2008)
3.38.050 Penalty for false information.
Any individual willfully providing false information to the city in an application for reduced utility rates shall forfeit the low-income senior or disabled citizen’s eligibility for future reductions in utility rates and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in DPMC 1.16.010, as the same now exists or is hereafter amended. Additionally, the low-income senior or disabled citizen shall be required to repay the amount of any utility discount received based upon such false information, together with interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum until repaid in full. (Ord. 856 § 1, 2008)
3.38.060 Statutory references.
All references in this chapter to state statutes shall be considered references to the state statutes as they currently exist or may hereafter be amended. (Ord. 856 § 1, 2008)