Chapter 13.02A
CERTIFIED ADULT FAMILY HOME UTILITY DISCOUNT
Sections:
13.02A.010 Program established – Purpose – Administrative authority.
13.02A.020 Certified group home – Eligibility – Requirements.
13.02A.030 Adult family home rate – Eligibility – Time limit.
13.02A.040 Adult family home utility rates – Percentage designated.
13.02A.050 Unlawful acts designated – Penalty.
13.02A.010 Program established – Purpose – Administrative authority.
A program for applying discounted rates to the billings for water, sewer and storm drainage utility services provided by the city for certain nonprofit organizations who operate Washington State certified group homes. The city finance director is authorized and directed to administer the program and in connection may promulgate forms and administrative regulations to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter. (Ord. 3265 § 3 (Exh. C), 2021; Ord. 3235 § 3 (Exh. C), 2019; Ord. 3223 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019).
13.02A.020 Certified group home – Eligibility – Requirements.
A. To implement the program provided for in this chapter, an account holder is eligible to be charged the discounted rate for utility services if that account holder shows satisfactory proof that:
1. The account location is owned or operated by a nonprofit corporation incorporated in the state of Washington;
2. The account location is operated as a Washington State Department of Social and Health Services licensed and certified adult family home or group training home;
3. The account location is a dwelling unit served directly by the city’s water, sewer or storm drainage utilities;
4. The account location is billed by the water, sewer or storm drainage utilities of the city; and
5. The account holder annually provides the city finance director with a copy of a current license issued by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to operate a certified adult family home or group training home.
B. Applicants, under oath or penalty of perjury, shall verify such information and provide such other data as are deemed appropriate, upon forms and in the manner determined by the city finance director. (Ord. 3265 § 3 (Exh. C), 2021; Ord. 3235 § 3 (Exh. C), 2019; Ord. 3223 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019).
13.02A.030 Adult family home rate – Eligibility – Time limit.
A. Eligibility for the adult family home utility rate provided for by this chapter shall be for the period of one year, or so long as the applicant continues to be eligible for the adult family home utility rate under the terms of PTMC 13.02A.020, whichever period is shorter. Eligibility for the adult family home utility rate may not be retroactively established.
B. The initial application for the adult family home rate may be made at any time. After approval of the initial application, the adult family home rate shall be effective from the billing cycle immediately following the approval date until the next renewal period. The renewal period shall be one year from approval date. Renewal applications shall be submitted no later than 30 calendar days prior to expiration.
C. When an account holder eligible for the adult family home utility rate becomes disqualified as a Washington State Department of Health and Social Services licensed adult family home the account holder shall immediately notify the city finance director of such change in status to allow the adult family home utility rate to be discontinued.
D. When an account holder has been billed at the adult family home utility rate after that account holder has become ineligible for that rate, a repayment of the undercharge shall be made or shall be added to the current utility billing for such account holder. The city shall not recoup undercharges for billing cycles more than four years before the current billing cycle. (Ord. 3265 § 3 (Exh. C), 2021; Ord. 3235 § 3 (Exh. C), 2019; Ord. 3223 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019).
13.02A.040 Adult family home utility rates – Percentage designated.
Effective June 1, 2019, account holders qualified by the city finance director as eligible for the adult family home utility rate provided for in this chapter shall be billed an amount of 50 percent of the base rate and surcharge established for the water, sewer, and storm drainage utilities. The adult family home utility rate does not apply to consumption charges for water. The city retains the right to discontinue adult family home utility discounts if the discount places undue budgetary constraints on meeting operating requirements of the utility. (Ord. 3265 § 3 (Exh. C), 2021; Ord. 3235 § 3 (Exh. C), 2019; Ord. 3223 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019).
13.02A.050 Unlawful acts designated – Penalty.
A. The following acts are unlawful:
1. To accept or receive the adult family home utility rate provided for by this chapter when or during such time that the account holder accepting or receiving the same is not eligible;
2. To make any false or untrue statement on any application, form or document filed to qualify for a utility credit, or to continue receiving utility credits under this chapter.
B. Director’s Authority. Whenever the city finance director or their designee determines that a condition exists in violation of this chapter or any standard required to be adhered to by this chapter, or in violation of any permit or license issued hereunder, he or she is authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
C. Chapter 1.20 PTMC Applicable. All violations of any provision of this chapter or incorporated standards, or of any discount, permit or license issued hereunder, are declared nuisances and made subject to the administration and enforcement provisions of Chapter 1.20 PTMC, including any amendments, and including but not limited to abatement, criminal penalty, and civil penalty as set forth in Chapter 1.20 PTMC, which are incorporated by reference as if set forth herein. (Ord. 3265 § 3 (Exh. C), 2021; Ord. 3235 § 3 (Exh. C), 2019; Ord. 3223 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019).