Chapter 4.34
RATES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, LOW-INCOME CITIZENS, AND DISABLED CITIZENS
Sections:
4.34.010 Purpose and findings.
4.34.030 Rate reduction – Applicable utilities.
4.34.040 Application for reduced rate.
4.34.050 Penalty for false information.
4.34.010 Purpose and findings.
The city council of the city of East Wenatchee finds that it is appropriate for the city of East Wenatchee to establish reduced rates for utilities provided by the city to senior citizens, to low-income citizens, and to disabled citizens of the city. (Ord. 12-01 § 2 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 09-13 § 4, 2009; Ord. 97-2 § 1, 1997)
4.34.020 Definitions.
A. “Senior citizen” means a person who:
1. Resides within the city of East Wenatchee;
2. Is 62 years of age or older;
3. Receives utility services from the city of East Wenatchee; and
4. Is the head of a household.
B. “Disabled citizen” means a person who:
1. Resides within the city of East Wenatchee;
2. Is the head of a household; and
3. Qualifies for special parking privileges under RCW 46.16.381(1)(a) through (f), or a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020, or a person who qualifies for supplemental social security benefits due to a disability.
C. “Low-income” is defined as follows:
1. Every single person whose combined disposable income as defined in RCW 84.36.383(5), as it now exists or is hereafter amended, is less than the qualifying amount set forth in RCW 84.36.381 (5)(b)(ii), as it now exists or is hereafter amended.
2. Every married couple, constituting a marital community, and whose combined disposable income as defined in RCW 84.36.383(5), as it now exists or is hereafter amended, is less than the qualifying amount set forth in RCW 84.36.381(5)(a), as it now exists or is hereafter amended. (Ord. 12-01 § 2 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 97-2 § 1, 1997)
4.34.030 Rate reduction – Applicable utilities.
A. A utility rate reduction shall be applied to the residential monthly utility bills of senior citizens, of low-income citizens, and of disabled citizens, in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
B. The amount of the utility rate reduction for garbage and refuse collection, including any adjustments to said rate, shall be as established by city ordinance and is subject to amendment by future city ordinances. The utility rate reduction for garbage and refuse collection as of the date of passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter is set forth in Ordinance 11-08. (Ord. 12-01 § 2 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 11-09 § 1, 2011; Ord. 09-13 § 5, 2009; Ord. 97-2 § 1, 1997)
4.34.040 Application for reduced rate.
A. Applications for utility discounts shall be obtained from and filed with the city clerk, or his or her designee. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the city clerk, and shall contain the information necessary to evaluate the applicant’s qualification for reduced utility rates.
B. Submission of an application for a utility discount shall constitute a verification by the applicant that all information provided in such application is true and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge.
C. Once approved by the city clerk, the application shall become effective the next billing cycle following 30 days after approval of the application.
D. Each application approved for low-income citizens 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 low-income disabled applicant to re-apply for successive 12-month periods of eligibility for reduced utility rates.
E. Each application approved for disabled citizens 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 disabled applicant to reapply for successive 12-month periods of eligibility for reduced utility rates.
F. Each application approved for a senior citizen will be effective commencing the first month the reduced rate becomes effective for the senior citizen applicant. (Ord. 12-01 § 2 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 09-13 § 6, 2009; Ord. 97-2 § 1, 1997)
4.34.050 Penalty for false information.
Any individual willfully providing false information to the city in an application for reduced utility rates shall forfeit his/her eligibility for future reductions in utility rates and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in EWMC 1.20.010, as the same now exists or is hereafter amended. Additionally, the individual shall be required to repay the amount of any utility discount received based upon such false information, together with interest at the rate of 18 percent per annum until repaid in full. (Ord. 12-01 § 2 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 09-13 § 7, 2009; Ord. 97-2 § 1, 1997)