Chapter 8.34 RATES FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR AND LOW-INCOME DISABLED

Chapter 8.34
RATES FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR AND LOW-INCOME DISABLED

Sections:

8.34.010 Purpose and findings.

The city council of the city of Rock Island finds that it is appropriate for the city of Rock Island to establish reduced rates for utilities including garbage collection and water provided by the city or its contractor to low-income senior citizens and low-income disabled citizens. (Ord. 98-014 § 2).

8.34.020 Definitions.

A. “Senior citizen” means a person who:

1. Is 62 years of age or older;

2. Receives utility services from the city of Rock Island; and

3. Is the head of a household.

B. “Disabled citizen” means a person who:

1. Receives utility services from the city of Rock Island;

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. 98-014 § 2).

8.34.030 Rate reduction – Applicable.

A. A utility rate reduction shall be applied to the residential garbage collection bills and water bills of qualified low-income senior citizens and low-income 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 by city ordinance.

C. The amount of the utility rate reduction for water, including any adjustments to said rate, shall be as established by city resolution and is subject to amendment by future city resolutions. (Ord. 98-014 § 2).

8.34.040 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 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 successive 12-month periods of eligibility for reduced utility rates. (Ord. 98-014 § 2).

8.34.050 Penalty for false information.

Any individual wilfully 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 future reductions in utility rates. Additionally, the low-income senior or disabled citizen 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. 98-014 § 2).