Chapter 10.08
COMMUNITY UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Sections:
10.08.010 Community utility program created.
10.08.020 Subject to annual appropriation.
10.08.030 Subject to annual agreements.
10.08.050 Community utility coordinator.
10.08.010 Community utility program created.
A. There is established a Northwest Arctic Borough community utility assistance program. The borough establishes the community utility program in order to help improve the health, safety, and welfare of borough villages and residents by providing financial and administrative assistance for water and sewer systems in order to foster affordable service and sustainable utility systems.
B. The borough’s intent is to provide assistance to borough communities while communities remain responsible for ownership, operation, and maintenance of water and sewer systems.
C. This program will not provide a mechanism for the borough to take ownership or control of community utilities. Communities will remain solely accountable for ownership and operation of water and sewer systems. (Ord. 19-06 § 3, 2019; Ord. 18-02 § 1, 2018. Formerly 10.20.010)
10.08.020 Subject to annual appropriation.
The borough community utility assistance program is subject to annual appropriations from the borough assembly through approval and adoption of the borough’s annual operating budget. In the event that the borough assembly does not allocate funds for the community utility assistance program, it will be suspended until such time that funds are allocated through the annual operating budget. (Ord. 19-06 § 3, 2019; Ord. 18-02 § 1, 2018. Formerly 10.20.020)
10.08.030 Subject to annual agreements.
A. In the event that the assembly funds the program for the upcoming fiscal year, communities that wish to participate in the program must enter into agreements with the borough prescribing the terms and conditions for participation in the community utility assistance program.
B. Upon the assembly’s appropriation of funds for the program for an upcoming year, the mayor is authorized to execute annual agreements with communities for that year and related service agreements with third-party providers.
C. Communities that do not execute an annual agreement or breach the agreement will not be eligible to participate in the program.
D. Agreements must stipulate that communities are responsible for maintaining the maximum number of eligible and paying customers; with the goal of ensuring that at least 75 percent of eligible residents are nondelinquent, paying customers. Agreements must also mandate that delinquent customers will be shut off.
E. Agreements must stipulate that communities will maintain their own emergency service account that is adequate to meet reasonably foreseeable emergencies for a 12-month period. (Ord. 19-06 § 3, 2019; Ord. 18-02 § 1, 2018. Formerly 10.20.030)
10.08.040 Functions.
In coordination with its regional partners, the borough community utility assistance program shall provide the following assistance:
A. Financial assistance for participating villages.
B. Technical advice and assistance for operation and maintenance of water and sewer systems.
C. Training for community operators and utility workers.
D. Guidance for preventative maintenance.
E. Third-party billing for enrolled communities with water and sewer system billing services and collection from customers. Fees will be collected and refunded to the communities after a service fee has been deducted. Collection from delinquent accounts will remain the sole responsibility of the communities.
F. Contract services for certified public accountant and payroll services for the community’s utility operators.
G. Promoting the maximum number of paying utility customers. (Ord. 19-06 § 3, 2019; Ord. 18-02 § 1, 2018. Formerly 10.20.040)
10.08.050 Community utility coordinator.
The borough community utility coordinator will be responsible for administering the community utility assistance program and working in coordination with Maniilaq, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, participating communities, and other regional partners. (Ord. 19-06 § 3, 2019; Ord. 18-02 § 1, 2018. Formerly 10.20.050)