Applications for city’s low-income senior reduced sewer rate coming in

January 17, 2007
Santa Paula News

The applications for reduced wastewater treatment fees are coming into City Hall, but not as many as were initially expected, according to Interim Finance Director/City Treasurer Sandy Easley.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe applications for reduced wastewater treatment fees are coming into City Hall, but not as many as were initially expected, according to Interim Finance Director/City Treasurer Sandy Easley.The City Council decided last year to give low-income area seniors an $8 break on the monthly wastewater treatment billing after it was raised $10. The new city discount program for low-income seniors is patterned on similar utility breaks offered by Southern California Edison and The Gas Company.The program adopted by the Council in September will have the same guidelines as those used by the major utility companies, a move that will make eligibility determination - those pre-qualified by such programs - easier. Low-income seniors 62 years and older will be eligible for the program, which will be funded from sewer enterprise account interest revenues.The total cost of the program to the city is unknown and was estimated last year to be approximately $47,250 annually, but that the cost could range from $20,000 to $60,000 each year.
Easley noted that so far approximately 160 applications have been received. “We still have to review them to make sure they meet all the qualifications,” she said.Applications - the city ran off about 600 copies - were distributed in stacks to area mobile home parks, and are available at City Hall. A reminder to area low-income seniors of the program availability was included in a recent monthly wastewater treatment bill.Those who have not yet applied can still do so, as there is no deadline for program applications said Easley. “They can continue to turn in applications, but the discount program itself becomes effective this next billing.”Those who take part in the low-income senior program will have to renew their participation every two years. The discount rate can vary, depending on the interest earned by the sewer fund and the offset itself.“It will be an ongoing program, and as more people hear about it I’m sure it will get more interest,” said Easley. “City Hall staff is also letting people know about the program” when seniors come in to pay their utility bills.



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