Chapter 9.15
LOW-INCOME CUSTOMER DISCOUNTS
Sections:
Article I. Low-Income Disabled Customers Discount
9.15.010 Low-income disabled customer – Defined.
9.15.030 Applications for discounts.
Article II. Low-Income Senior Citizens Discount
9.15.050 Low-income senior citizen – Defined.
9.15.070 Applications for discounts.
Article I. Low-Income Disabled Customers Discount
9.15.010 Low-income disabled customer – Defined.
As used in this article and in District rate resolutions, “low-income disabled customer” shall be defined as an individual:
(1) Who is permanently disabled and who qualifies for special parking privileges under RCW 46.19.010(1)(a) through (f) or is a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020;
(2) Who owns or rents and resides in the residence where the discounted rate(s) are being requested;
(3) Whose residence has a separate water meter;
(4) Whose total annual household income, including that of a spouse or any co-resident(s), shall not exceed $36,800 for the base year of 2020. For future years, the District shall adjust the annual household income levels by the CPI-U for the Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue metropolitan area with a minimum of zero percent to a maximum of five percent. Income is defined as adjusted gross income as identified in the most recent federal income tax return; the Finance Director may consider other documentation of annual income.
(5) Who is the named customer on the District’s utility billing or can prove that he or she is the named tenant in a lease agreement for that residence. [Res. 2719 § 2, 2021; amended during 2016 codification; Res. 2607 § 2, 2013].
9.15.020 Discounts.
Low-income disabled customer discounts on water and sewer service rates shall be as follows:
(1) The monthly water bill will be discounted by 34 percent.
(2) The monthly sewer service bill will be discounted by 34 percent. [Res. 2607 § 1, 2013].
9.15.030 Applications for discounts.
(1) The Finance Director shall create an application form and an annual renewal form to comply with the provisions of this article. Applications shall be available at the main office of the District or mailed to any District customer, upon request.
(2) Applicant must complete an application renewal form annually.
(3) A notice of renewal of application will be mailed annually by the District to those currently receiving a discount. The completed renewal application form must be returned to the District within 30 days, or the discount will no longer apply.
(4) Discounts will commence on the next subsequent billing date following approval of application.
(5) Renewing applicants who applied for and received the discount in the prior year and who have failed to submit the renewal form within the required 30 days which resulted in loss of the discount may request a one-time-only retroactive application of the low-income discount for no more than two billing cycles or four months.
(6) Applicant is not eligible for the discount if their annual consumption is in excess of 100 cubic feet per year on a calendar year basis. Applicant may appeal the criteria to the Finance Director and must provide convincing justification for the excess usage. [Amended during 2016 codification; Res. 2607 § 3, 2013].
9.15.040 Notification.
(1) Notification of the low-income disabled customer discount shall be provided annually to all persons served by the District and to all persons requesting new service.
(2) Notification of rate changes or changes to the low-income disabled customer discount will be mailed to all existing low-income disabled customer discount customers at such time as any rate and/or discount changes are approved. [Res. 2607 § 4, 2013].
Article II. Low-Income Senior Citizens Discount
9.15.050 Low-income senior citizen – Defined.
As used in this article and in District rate resolutions, “low-income senior citizen” shall be defined as an individual:
(1) Who is 62 years old or older at the time of application;
(2) Who owns or rents and resides in the residence where the discounted rate(s) are being requested;
(3) Whose residence has a separate water meter;
(4) Whose total annual household income, including that of a spouse or any co-resident(s), shall not exceed $36,800 for the base year of 2020. For future years, the District shall adjust the annual household income levels by the CPI-U for the Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue metropolitan area with a minimum of zero percent to a maximum of five percent. Income is defined as adjusted gross income as identified in the most recent federal income tax return; the Finance Director may consider other documentation of annual income.
(5) Who is the named customer on the District’s utility billing or can prove that he or she is the named tenant in a lease agreement for that residence. [Res. 2720 § 2, 2021; amended during 2016 codification; Res. 2608 § 2, 2013].
9.15.060 Discounts.
Low-income senior citizen discounts on water and sewer service rates shall be as follows:
(1) The monthly water bill will be discounted by 34 percent.
(2) The monthly sewer service bill will be discounted by 34 percent. [Res. 2608 § 1, 2013].
9.15.070 Applications for discounts.
(1) The Finance Director shall create an application form and a renewal form to comply with the provisions of this article. Applications shall be available at the main office of the District or mailed to any District customer, upon request.
(2) Applicant must complete an application renewal form annually.
(3) A notice of renewal of application will be mailed annually by the District to those currently receiving a discount. The completed renewal application form must be returned to the District within 30 days, or the discount will no longer apply.
(4) Discounts will commence on the next subsequent billing date following approval of application.
(5) Renewing applicants who applied for and received the discount in the prior year and who have failed to submit the renewal form within the required 30 days which resulted in loss of the discount may request a one-time-only retroactive application of the low-income discount for no more than two billing cycles or four months.
(6) Applicant is not eligible for the discount if their annual consumption is in excess of 100 cubic feet per year on a calendar year basis. Applicant may appeal the criteria to the Finance Director and must provide convincing justification for the excess usage. [Amended during 2016 codification; Res. 2608 § 3, 2013].
9.15.080 Notification.
(1) Notification of the low-income senior citizen discount shall be provided annually to all persons served by the District and to all persons requesting new service.
(2) Notification of rate changes or changes to the low-income senior discount will be mailed to all existing low-income senior citizen discount customers at such time as any rate and/or discount changes are approved. [Res. 2608 § 4, 2013].