(a) Disabled person defined. A “disabled person” for the purposes of this section is an adult who has a mental or physical disability that, in the opinion of a licensed physician, renders him or her incapable of being gainfully employed.
(b) Eligible household. An eligible household for the purpose of this section is a separately billed dwelling unit, which is (1) occupied by a person age sixty-five (65) or older, or by a disabled person, and(2) has a gross household income at or below 200% of federal poverty level. The City may establish detailed qualifications and requirements for demonstrating annual gross household income in a written administrative policy adopted pursuant to Section 6-8.46.
(c) Applications. Applications for an eligible household discount shall be submitted in writing to the Utilities Customer Services Director. The application shall be on a form provided by the Utilities Customer Services Director, shall be completed to show the information elicited by the form and shall be signed under penalty of perjury by the applicant. When the discount is sought based upon a disabled person, the application shall be accompanied by a physicians certificate stating that the person is a disabled person within the meaning of subsection (a) of this section. The Utilities Customer Services Director shall determine whether a household is an eligible household for the purpose of this section and his or her determination shall be final.
(d) Discount. The charges for water, refuse and wastewater service provided to an eligible household, shall be discounted by an amount approved by the City Council pursuant to an ordinance or resolution. The discount shall be available only to customers with individually metered residential water service. The discount shall be in effect for a one (1) year period, which shall begin as determined by the City Council (e.g. upon approval of an individual application, upon the start of the following fiscal year, etc.). To renew the discount for an additional year, the customer must complete and return a renewal application to the City’s Utilities Customer Services Department. A renewal notice shall be mailed to the customer with the utilities bill at or before the end of each year of eligibility. The discount offered under this subsection is subject to City Council approval through the annual budget process and the availability of funds allocated to fund the discount.
(e) Termination of eligibility. A household shall no longer be an eligible household if the Utilities Customer Services Department does not receive a renewal application, if the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection (b) above cease to exist, or if funds to provide the discount are unavailable pursuant to subsection (d).
(§ 6, Ord. 2785, eff. November 16, 2003; § 5, Ord. 3251, eff. July 20, 2023)