(a) As used in this section only, the following terms shall have the meanings given:
(1) Assets test means that any person having assets in excess of either:
(i) Five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) in liquid assets such as bank accounts, savings, certificates of deposits, stocks, bonds, etc.; or
(ii) Five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) in equity in assessed value of nonhomestead property;
shall be ineligible to participate in the program, notwithstanding that he meets the income level qualifications set forth in this section. However, motor vehicles for personal use, household furnishings and the benefited property itself, as well as buildings located thereon which are occupied by the person seeking to qualify as a home for himself and his family, shall not be included in computing assets.
(2) Income means gross income as defined in Section 61 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(3) Program means the assistance program established in this section.
(4) Qualified customer means a residential water quality management fee customer who meets the assets test and has an annual income equal to or less than one hundred fifty (150) percent of the poverty income levels set forth in the poverty guidelines chart established by the Community Services Administration, annually published in the Federal Register, in effect at the time of application. However, income itself shall be measured by the definition contained in subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(b) Qualified customers may receive assistance for fifty (50) percent of the cost of their water quality management fees, decreasing their obligation to fifty (50) percent of the total charges on the bill. All payments of water quality management fee grants by the urban county government are subject to an annual appropriation by the urban county council of the funds to make such payments, and neither the establishment of this program nor participation in the program shall constitute a contract between the urban county government and any qualified property owner for other than the fiscal year for which funds are appropriated to make payments. In the event funds are not appropriated for any given fiscal year, customers will be required to pay the full cost for that year.
(c) Qualified customers who participate in this program shall not be eligible to receive the discount allowed in section 16-405.
(d) The administration of this program shall be under the direct supervision of the mayor of the urban county government. The mayor may prescribe such regulations and procedures, consistent with the provisions of this section, as he or she deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the intentions stated herein. The commissioners of the departments of finance, environmental quality and public works, and housing advocacy and community development shall be responsible for administration of aspects of the program at the direction of the mayor.
(Ord. No. 73-2009, § 1, 5-14-09; Ord. No. 067-2023, § 3, 6-29-23)