Chapter 3.34
LOW-INCOME UTILITY RATES
Sections:
3.34.030 Applicable utilities.
3.34.040 Application for reduced rate.
3.34.050 Penalty for false information.
3.34.010 Policy and purpose.
The town council of the town of Concrete finds that it is appropriate for the town of Concrete to establish reduced rates for utilities provided by the town to low-income residents of the town. [Ord. 788A, 2018]
3.34.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Low-Income.
(a) Resides within the town of Concrete town limits.
(b) Receives utility services, both water and sewer, from the town of Concrete.
(c) Is a residential property/structure.
(d) The household’s average monthly income is at or below 125 percent of the current federal poverty level (FPL) as issued by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
(e) A landlord who owns property and whose renter meets all of the above. [Ord. 788A, 2018]
3.34.030 Applicable utilities.
(1) A reduced water utility rate shall be applied to the residential monthly utility bills of qualified low-income citizens in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
(2) The reduced rate offered for water utility service shall be established by the town council by annual resolution and is subject to amendment by future town resolutions. [Ord. 788A, 2018]
3.34.040 Application for reduced rate.
(1) Applications for utility discounts shall be obtained from and filed with the office of the town clerk-treasurer. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the town clerk, and shall contain the information necessary to evaluate the applicant’s qualification for reduced utility rates.
(2) Submission of an application for a utility discount shall constitute verification by the applicant that all information provided in such application is true and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge.
(3) Once approved by the town clerk-treasurer, the application shall become effective the next billing cycle following 30 days after approval of the application.
(4) Each approved application is effective for 12 months commencing the first month the reduced rate becomes effective for the applicant. It shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant to reapply for the successive 12-month periods of eligibility for reduced utility rates.
(5) The applicant shall notify the town of any changes in income that may result in the applicant no longer meeting the definition of low-income within the 12-month approval period.
(6) If applicant is the landlord, the landlord shall notify the town if the approved tenant moves out of the rental located at the above address. The landlord or new tenant may reapply for the reduced rate following the procedures above. [Ord. 788A, 2018]
3.34.050 Penalty for false information.
Any individual, landlord or applicant who willfully provides false information to the town in an application for reduced utility rates or fails to comply with CMC 3.34.040(5) shall forfeit the low-income eligibility for future reductions in utility rates and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in CMC 1.12.010, as the same now exists or is hereafter amended. Additionally, the low-income resident or landlord shall be required to repay the amount of any utility discount received based upon such false information, together with interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum until repaid in full. [Ord. 788A, 2018]