Chapter 3.90
LOW INCOME CREDIT ON UTILITY BILLS
Sections:
3.90.020 Utility service charges – Relief.
3.90.030 Utility service charges – Qualifications and discount levels.
3.90.040 Claim filing requirements.
3.90.050 Starting date for reductions.
3.90.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Direct billing customer” means a person or household who is directly billed for and responsible for payment to the city for utility service charges.
(2) “Income” means “disposable income,” as that term is defined in RCW 84.36.383, plus the aggregate value of all gifts received during that year, excluding the first $5,008.69 thereof.
(3) “Indirect billing customer” means a person or household who is not directly billed for city utility service charges, but for which some or all of such charges are paid by a landlord, maintenance association or other third party and who is contributing to payment of those charges.
(4) “Kidney dialysis patient” means a person receiving home kidney dialysis treatments.
(5) “Poverty level income” is an income less than the poverty level for the size household for those under age 65, as defined by federal government and as per table adopted by the finance director. The same table shall be used for all households including those with members who are age 65 or older. (Ord. 1083 § 1, 1997).
3.90.020 Utility service charges – Relief.
There is granted to persons who meet the qualifications and requirements of OHMC 3.90.030 and 3.90.040 relief from the city’s water, sewer and solid waste service charges as follows:
(1) Direct Billing Customers. Subject to subsection (3) of this section, all billings by the city during the calendar year to direct billing customers who meet the qualifications and requirements of OHMC 3.90.030 and 3.90.040 shall be reduced by 17 percent of the aggregate of the sewerage, minimum solid waste rate for mini‑can and minimum water service charges as prescribed by the city’s water, sewerage and solid waste rate ordinances then in effect; provided, that such direct billing customer may, in lieu of receiving a billing reduction, receive a reimbursement pursuant to the provisions of OHMC 3.90.030 and 3.90.040.
(2) Indirect Billing Customers. Subject to subsection (3) of this section, for all billings paid to the city during the calendar year on behalf of indirect billing customers who meet the qualifications and requirements of OHMC 3.90.030 and 3.90.040, the city shall pay to such indirect billing customers a reimbursement in an amount as set forth in OHMC 3.90.030 of the aggregate of the sewerage, solid waste and minimum water service charges as prescribed by the city’s water, sewerage and solid waste rate for a mini‑can service then in effect; provided, that such indirect billing customer may, in lieu of receiving a one‑time payment, receive quarterly payments pursuant to the provisions of OHMC 3.90.030 and 3.90.040.
(3) In determining the amount of relief granted under this section, the minimum water service charge shall not include any consumption charges beyond the average winter consumption for single-family residences for direct billing customers, the average winter consumption for multifamily residences for indirect billing customers, and 17 ccf of water bimonthly for home kidney dialysis patients; nor shall it include solid waste rate charges beyond a single mini-can rate unless the household includes five or more persons. (Ord. 1203 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1194 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1083 § 1, 1997).
3.90.030 Utility service charges – Qualifications and discount levels.
To qualify for the relief set forth in OHMC 3.90.020, a person or member of the household must meet one of the following criteria:
(1) Have a household income less than the poverty level income; or
(2) Have resident in the household someone who is receiving home kidney dialysis treatments, as confirmed by a medical doctor; and
(3) Have been a resident of the dwelling unit served by the city’s utility at all times during any period for which a “reimbursement” is requested and have contributed to the payment of city utility charges from his or her income or resources. (Ord. 1083 § 1, 1997).
3.90.040 Claim filing requirements.
(1) All claims for relief requested pursuant to this chapter must be filed with the finance department of the city during the time periods as follows:
(a) Direct billing customers who file a claim for a billing reduction at any time during the calendar year shall be eligible for a reduction in their billing effective as soon thereafter as their claim may be administratively reviewed, approved and processed.
(b) Direct and indirect billing customers who file a claim for reimbursement at any time during the calendar year following the calendar year or portion thereof for which a reimbursement is requested shall be eligible for such reimbursement as soon thereafter as their claim may be administratively reviewed, approved and processed.
(2) All billings for which a claim is made under this chapter must be submitted to the finance department as part of the claim for relief.
(3) All claims for relief requested pursuant to this chapter shall be submitted to the finance department, in writing, on a form provided by the department and certified by the claimant that, to the best of the claimant’s knowledge, all information provided therein is true and correct.
(4) The finance department may publish rules and regulations to implement and administer this chapter.
(5) Each year, the finance director shall update the table for poverty level income. (Ord. 1083 § 1, 1997).
3.90.050 Starting date for reductions.
Reimbursements or reductions under this chapter shall apply only to billings for services rendered after March 1, 1997. (Ord. 1083 § 1, 1997).
3.90.060 Penalty.
Intentionally providing false or misleading information in an application for rate reduction shall be a gross misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or one year in jail or both such fine and jail time. (Ord. 1083 § 1, 1997).