I. RECOMMENDATION:
This item was requested as a Future Agenda Item by Councilman Adkisson. City Manager also recommends Council direct City Manager to Use the $9,000 Saved from Eliminating Council Travel and Training for FY 2020 to Assist Residents Impacted by COVID-19 with City Utility Bills.
II. BACKGROUND:
The City is not discontinuing utility service to any customer for reason of nonpayment and no late fees or interest are accruing during the proclaimed local emergency. However, the number of utility customers who have not paid their utility bill has nearly doubled.
III. DISCUSSION:
This item would allow residents in the City to receive assistance on their City utility bill by way of a $200 credit applied.
In order to be eligible, the resident holding the utility account must prove a loss of income related to a business closure, loss of hours or wages, or layoff due to COVID-19.
An application will be developed by staff and applications will not be processed until they are complete with necessary documentation.
Complete applications will be processed in the order in which they are received.
Based on an allocation of $9,000, the City would be able to assist 45 residents with a City utility credit of $200 each.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
Do not direct City Manager to Use the $9,000 Saved from Eliminating Council Travel and Training for FY 2020 to Assist Residents Impacted by COVID-19 with City Utility Bills.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
$9,000 from the City's General Fund that was budgeted for Council Travel and Training for FY 2020. | | |