Chapter 13.32
SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME SENIOR AND DISABLED CITIZENS
Sections:
13.32.010 Purpose and authority.
13.32.030 Base rate reduction amount.
13.32.050 Application process.
13.32.060 Exceptions and limitations.
13.32.010 Purpose and authority.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish reduced utility base rates charged for water, sewer, stormwater and refuse services, as the same apply to certain low income senior citizens and certain low income disabled citizens. This chapter is based upon the authority provided by RCW 74.38.070(1). (Ord. 1420 § 1, 2010)
13.32.020 Definitions.
A. “Low income senior citizen” means any person 62 years of age or older and whose combined household income, including that of his or her spouse or cotenant(s), is at or below 50 percent of the median household income for Friday Harbor.
B. “Low income disabled citizen” means (1) a person qualifying for special parking privileges under RCW 46.16.381(1)(a) through (f); (2) a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020; or (3) a disabled, handicapped or incapacitated person as defined under any other existing state or federal program whose combined household income, including that of his or her spouse or cotenant(s), is at or below 50 percent of the median household income for Friday Harbor.
C. “Base rate” means the following:
1. For water service, it shall mean the monthly water “base charge” set forth in FHMC 13.05.010(A), as the same may be amended from time to time; and
2. For sewer service, it shall mean the monthly sewer “base charge” set forth in FHMC 13.21.010(A), as the same may be amended from time to time; and
3. For stormwater service, it shall mean the monthly stormwater “service charge” set forth in FHMC 13.31.010(E), as the same may be amended from time to time; and
4. For refuse service, it shall mean the monthly refuse “base charge” set forth in FHMC 13.28.020(B), as the same may be amended from time to time.
D. “Benefit year” means the first day of the month that the base rate reduction commences and shall expire December 31st of the same year.
E. “Income” means earned income, as well as retirement income, Social Security benefits, disability benefits, investment income, interest income, capital gains, and net rental income from real estate. Assets shall not exceed the specified amount, exclusive of one vehicle and one residence for which the base rate reduction is made. (Ord. 1753 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1420 § 2, 2010)
13.32.030 Base rate reduction amount.
The base rate for water, sewer, stormwater and refuse utility services shall be reduced by 50 percent for any person who is eligible for such reduction under the terms set forth in FHMC 13.32.040. (Ord. 1420 § 3, 2010)
13.32.040 Eligibility.
Any low income senior citizen or low income disabled citizen who is (A) the owner, contract purchaser, or lessee of a residential dwelling unit; (B) connected to or serviced by the water, sewer, stormwater or refuse utility service systems operated by the town of Friday Harbor; (C) individually serviced by a single water meter; and (D) who is responsible for payment for those services, is entitled to a base rate reduction for those services, after establishing their eligibility for the same in accordance with the procedure set forth in FHMC 13.32.050, as the same may be amended from time to time. (Ord. 1420 § 4, 2010)
13.32.050 Application process.
Any person wishing to establish their eligibility for the base rate reduction provided for herein shall submit an application and show satisfactory proof to the finance director, or designee, as follows:
A. Application for the base rate reduction must be made annually and must be filed with the finance office not later than the fifteenth day of any month of the benefit year, which benefit year shall expire December 31st of that year; provided, however, that eligibility may be re-established through a reapplication process.
B. All applications and reapplications by any low income senior citizen or low income disabled citizen shall be required to include proof of eligibility for income. Proof of income may include Social Security statements or a signed copy of the most recent federal income tax return of the applicant and all persons residing with the applicant, unless the filings are not required by law, and affidavits of the applicant and all persons residing with the applicants, setting forth all amounts and sources of income for the 12-month period preceding the application.
C. All applications and reapplications by any low income disabled citizen shall be required to include proof of eligibility for disability benefits. Proof of eligibility for disability benefits may include a Social Security statement or any other benefits for that disability from any existing state or federal program; provided, however, that said benefits are not received on a temporary basis of less than 12 months. (Ord. 1649 § 1, 2018; Ord. 1420 § 5, 2010)
13.32.060 Exceptions and limitations.
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in FHMC 13.32.050, eligibility for the base rate reduction shall not be available for the following:
A. To any person who resides in federally subsidized housing.
B. To any low income disabled citizen scheduled to receive disability benefits for less than 12 consecutive months.
C. A base rate reduction shall not be available to more than one person per household and no person may claim more than one residential dwelling unit during the same billing period. The residential dwelling unit shall be the applicant’s principal place of residence. (Ord. 1420 § 6, 2010)