Chapter 6.06
LOW-INCOME, LOW-INCOME DISABLED AND LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN SOLID WASTE COLLECTION RATE REDUCTION PROGRAM

Sections:

6.06.010    Program established – Purpose – Definitions – Administrative authority.

6.06.020    Solid waste rate reduction – Eligibility – Requirements.

6.06.030    Solid waste rate reduction – Eligibility – Time limit.

6.06.040    Solid waste rate reduction – Amounts designated.

6.06.050    Solid waste rate reduction – Manner of issuance.

6.06.060    Repealed.

6.06.070    Unlawful acts designated – Penalty.

6.06.010 Program established – Purpose – Definitions – Administrative authority.

A program for discounted rates for solid waste collection and disposal 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 adopted 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.

A. Definitions. In administering this chapter, all definitions of terms set forth in Chapter 6.04 PTMC shall apply. Other terms are defined as follows:

“Low-income” means a person who has a total current annualized household income from all sources of 100 percent or less of poverty level based upon total household size, using poverty level calculations established by the state of Washington for Jefferson County or by the federal government if state calculations are not available.

“Low-income disabled” means a person who:

1. Receives Supplemental Security Income pursuant to 42 USC Sections 1381 through 1383, as now adopted of hereafter amended; or

2. Receives Supplemental Security Disability Income pursuant to federal law, as now adopted or hereafter amended, and is able to establish that current annualized income from all sources will not exceed $18,000; or

3. Is eligible for and in fact receives a federal, state or private disability pension, and who is able to establish that current annualized household income from all sources does not exceed the sum of $18,000 per year.

“Low-income senior citizen” means a person 62 years of age and over, whose total income, including that of his or her spouse or co-tenant, does not exceed the sum of $18,000 per year.

B. Administrative Authority. The city finance director is authorized and directed to administer the program, consistent with the provisions of the city’s contract with the solid waste contractor, 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. 2800 § 1, 2002; Ord. 2620 § 3, 1997).

6.06.020 Solid waste rate reduction – Eligibility – Requirements.

A. To implement the program provided for in this chapter, solid waste rate reduction 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 PTMC 6.06.010; 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 solid waste collection service; and

4. Is billed or is the spouse of a person billed by the city for solid waste collection service; and

5. The applicant shall provide the city solid waste contractor 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 solid waste contractor. (Ord. 2800 § 1, 2002; Ord. 2620 § 3, 1997).

6.06.030 Solid waste rate reduction – Eligibility – Time limit.

Eligibility for solid waste rate reduction provided for by this chapter shall be determined by the city solid waste contractor. For any person denied eligibility, there shall exist a right of appeal to the city finance director, whose decision shall be final and binding on the solid waste contractor and applicant. The period of eligibility shall be for a period of one year, or so long as the applicant continues to be eligible for a solid waste rate reduction under the terms of PTMC 6.06.020, whichever period is shorter. Applications shall be made annually to renew eligibility for solid waste rate reduction and the eligibility for reduced rates shall expire on March 31st of each year. Where the recipient of a solid waste rate reduction either receives income which will no longer allow the recipient to be eligible for the program, or is no longer disabled or otherwise eligible for the solid waste rate reduction, such person shall immediately notify the solid waste contractor of such change in status to allow eligibility for the program to be discontinued. Where discounted rates have been received after a person has become ineligible, a repayment of the difference between the reduced rate and the full rate owing shall be made or shall be added to the current solid waste billing for such person. (Ord. 2800 § 1, 2002; Ord. 2620 § 3, 1997).

6.06.040 Solid waste rate reduction – Amounts designated.

Persons qualified by the city solid waste contractor pursuant to this chapter as eligible recipients of reduced solid waste rates provided for in this chapter shall be billed in the amount in accordance with the city’s solid waste contract. (Ord. 2800 § 1, 2002; Ord. 2620 § 3, 1997).

6.06.050 Solid waste rate reduction – Manner of issuance.

A. Eligible persons receiving reduced solid waste rates shall be billed for solid waste services as provided for in this chapter, or in equivalent amounts should the billing period be other than monthly; provided, however, that no eligible person shall receive or accept reduced solid waste rates for more than one solid waste bill for the same billing period.

B. Rates shall be reduced as follows:

1. For eligible persons who receive a solid waste bill directly, the proper reduced rates shall be made on the bill as a reduction to the amount which would otherwise be payable; or

2. For eligible persons who do not receive a solid waste bill directly but who pay such solid waste charges indirectly as part of their rental payment, the proper rate or credit shall be made in the manner determined by the city solid waste contractor upon satisfactory proof in writing that such solid waste charges in fact are paid by the qualified person indirectly as part of their rental payment. (Ord. 2800 § 1, 2002; Ord. 2620 § 3, 1997).

6.06.060 Solid waste rate reduction – Apportionment – Authority.

Repealed by Ord. 2800. (Ord. 2620 § 3, 1997).

6.06.070 Unlawful acts designated – Penalty.

A. The following acts are unlawful:

1. To accept or receive reduced solid waste rates provided for by this chapter when or during such time that the person accepting or receiving the same is not eligible; and/or

2. To make any false or untrue statement on any application, form or document filed to qualify for reduced solid waste rates, or to continue receiving reduced solid waste rates under this chapter.

B. Recovery. In addition, the city shall be entitled to recover the amount represented by any reduced solid waste rates which was accepted, received or allowed to any person not then eligible to receive the same, and the city solid waste contractor is authorized to add the amounts entitled by the city to be recovered to subsequent solid waste bills of the person responsible for the same.

C. Director’s Authority. Whenever the public works 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.

D. 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. 2800 § 1, 2002; Ord. 2620 § 3, 1997).