Chapter 13.30
LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND LOW-INCOME DISABLED PERSONS UTILITY RATES
Sections:
13.30.010 Purpose and findings.
13.30.030 Rate reduction – Applicable utilities.
13.30.040 Application for reduced rate.
13.30.050 Penalty for false information.
13.30.010 Purpose and findings.
The city council of the city of Grandview finds that it is appropriate for the city to establish reduced rates for utilities provided by the city to low-income senior and low-income disabled residents of the city as allowed under RCW 74.38.070. (Ord. 2007-33 § 1).
13.30.020 Definitions.
A. “Senior citizen” means a person who:
1. Resides within the city limits of the city of Grandview;
2. Is 62 years or older;
3. Receives utility services from the city of Grandview;
4. Is the head of a household.
B. “Disabled citizen” means a person who:
1. Resides within the city limits of the city of Grandview;
2. Is the head of a household;
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(4) and (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, whose combined disposable income as defined in RCW 84.36.383(4) and (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. 2007-33 § 1).
13.30.030 Rate reduction – Applicable utilities.
A. Notwithstanding the rates provided in Chapter 13.28 GMC, a utility rate reduction shall be applied to the residential monthly utility bills of qualified low-income senior citizens and low-income disabled citizens, in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
B. The utility rate reduction for city water, sewer, garbage and irrigation water for qualified individuals under this chapter shall be a 20 percent reduction in the individual’s monthly billing. This rate may be changed by the city council at any time by ordinance. (Ord. 2007-33 § 1).
13.30.040 Application for reduced rate.
A. Applications for utility reduced rates under this section shall be obtained from and filed with the city clerk, or his or her designee. The application shall be on the form prescribed by the city clerk, and shall contain information necessary to evaluate the applicant’s qualification for reduced rates. In order to verify income, the applicant shall provide income tax returns, Social Security statements or other financial information as required by the city clerk.
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 the application is approved, the reduced rates shall become effective on the next billing cycle following 30 days after approval of the application.
D. Each application shall be 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 re-apply for successive 12 monthly periods of eligibility for reduced utility rates.
E. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the person receiving a reduced rate to report any changes in their financial status or disability status that would affect their ineligibility for the reduced rates. (Ord. 2007-33 § 1).
13.30.050 Penalty for false information.
Any individual willfully providing false information to the city in an application for reduced utility rates shall forfeit the low-income senior or disabled citizen’s eligibility for rate reductions in utility rates and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or by both such fine and imprisonment. Additionally, the low-income senior or disabled citizen making such a false statement to obtain benefits under this chapter 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. 2007-33 § 1).