Council backs developing an affordability program to ease utility bill impacts
After reviewing affordability metrics, councilors asked staff to develop an assistance program for low‑income households; staff estimated about 2,000 households might be eligible and offered sample options (25% discount on the service charge estimated at $114,000 annually; 75% would cost ~$343,000).
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Council directed staff to develop an affordability or customer‑assistance program to help households who may be disproportionately affected by the proposed utility rate increases. Staff presented several common affordability measures and estimated about 2,000 households could qualify under the ExcelCare benchmark. As an illustrative option, staff suggested a 25% discount on the fixed monthly service charge for eligible inside‑city customers, which they estimated would cost roughly $114,000 per year to fund; a deeper 75% discount example would cost approximately $343,000 annually.
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