Chapter 13.42
UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Sections:

13.42.010    Purpose and authority.

13.42.020    Definitions.

13.42.030    Eligibility.

13.42.040    Application – Payment.

13.42.050    Funding.

13.42.060    Exceptions and limitations.

13.42.010 Purpose and authority.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a program to provide temporary assistance for utility payments to qualifying low income persons, referred to as the “utility assistance program.” Under this chapter, the town may provide utility assistance in the form of payment of one utility invoice during one calendar year to a qualifying low income person.

The town council is authorized to contract for services with a duly formed nonprofit corporation to implement the provisions of this chapter. This chapter is based on the authority provided in Article 8, Section 7 of Washington’s Constitution, RCW 35.67.020 and 35.92.020. (Ord. 1512 § 1, 2013)

13.42.020 Definitions.

“Low income person” means any person residing within the corporate limits of the town of Friday Harbor whose combined gross household income, including that of his or her spouse or co-tenant(s), is at or below 185 percent of the federally established poverty level, and who is responsible for his or her household’s utility account.

“Utility invoice” means an invoice from the town of Friday Harbor for utilities for the low income person’s primary place of residence, including charges for water, sewer, refuse and stormwater utilities.

“Utility shutoff notice” means a notice from the town of Friday Harbor to the low income person, providing that due to nonpayment of a utility invoice, the town plans to shut off the person’s utilities. (Ord. 1512 § 1, 2013)

13.42.030 Eligibility.

A low income person is eligible for assistance under this chapter after the person establishes the following:

A. His or her combined gross household income, including that of his or her spouse or co-tenant(s), is at or below 185 percent of the federally established poverty level at the time of application and for three months preceding such application;

B. He or she is the owner, contract purchaser, or lessee of a residential dwelling unit located within the corporate limits of the town of Friday Harbor, which is connected to or serviced by the water, sewer, stormwater or refuse utility service systems operated by the town of Friday Harbor and is individually serviced by a single water meter; and

C. He or she is responsible for payment of those utility services.

Additionally, the town must verify that it has sufficient funds to provide assistance under this chapter, or no person may be eligible for such assistance. (Ord. 1512 § 1, 2013)

13.42.040 Application – Payment.

A. Application. Any eligible person wishing to qualify for utility assistance shall submit an application to the town clerk of Friday Harbor or the town’s contractor pursuant to the forms and processes established by the town. Applications shall be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and may be made more than once annually, but utility assistance shall be provided for only one utility invoice per person, once per calendar year. All applications shall include:

1. Proof of eligibility of the applicant’s combined gross household income, including pay stubs for the three months preceding the application or any other proof of income or extenuating circumstances that may be requested by the town or its contractor; and

2. Proof that he or she is the owner, contract purchaser, or lessee of a residential dwelling unit located within the corporate limits of the town of Friday Harbor, which is his or her primary place of residence; and

3. A utility shutoff notice from the town showing the applicant as the utility account holder; and

4. Any other information reasonably requested by the town or its contractor to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

B. Payment. Upon verifying that the applicant qualifies for assistance under this chapter, the town or its contractor shall issue payment to the town treasurer for payment of the eligible low income citizen’s utility invoice. (Ord. 1512 § 1, 2013)

13.42.050 Funding.

The town shall pay for assistance under this chapter as authorized by the town council, including the reasonable cost of a duly authorized contract for services to implement the provisions of this chapter. The town treasurer is authorized to accept donations from the public to provide assistance under this chapter, which donations shall be deposited in the treasurer’s trust fund and used solely to pay for eligible low income persons’ utility invoices. (Ord. 1512 § 1, 2013)

13.42.060 Exceptions and limitations.

Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in FHMC 13.42.040, utility assistance shall not be available for the following:

A. Any person who resides in federally subsidized housing; or

B. More than one person per household, once per calendar year; or

C. To any person who attempts to or has in the past misrepresented his or her income, residency, or any other issue of fact or law on an application for assistance or during the application process; or

D. In the event that the town of Friday Harbor does not have adequate funding to provide such assistance. (Ord. 1512 § 1, 2013)