San Antonio Council considers expanding pilot program for low-income water service access

The San Antonio Municipal Utilities Committee convened on March 25, 2025, to discuss critical funding and infrastructure issues affecting local residents. A significant focus of the meeting was the allocation of $2.3 million aimed at enhancing utility services, particularly for areas lacking essential infrastructure connections.

Council members expressed concerns about the current poverty threshold of 125% used to determine eligibility for utility assistance programs. Councilman Kerch suggested raising this threshold to 50% of the poverty level, arguing that it would allow more families to benefit from the program. The committee acknowledged the need for broader eligibility criteria to support low-income households effectively.

Additionally, the committee discussed the city's commitment of $700,000 to pilot programs designed to assist residents with utility connections and repairs. This funding, combined with potential carryover funds from previous years, could increase the total available resources to approximately $5 million. However, there were questions regarding the use of impact fees, which are typically earmarked for specific projects and may not be easily redirected to support the proposed programs.

The committee also addressed the legal implications of expanding the utility assistance program. Concerns were raised about potential conflicts with state law, particularly regarding the imposition of stricter requirements than those mandated at the state level. Legal representatives indicated that while there is no outright prohibition against creating such programs, careful consideration is necessary to avoid legal challenges.

As the meeting concluded, the committee agreed to move forward with the pilot program funding while committing to gather more information on the impact fee waiver program and its potential expansion. The next steps will involve further discussions on how to maximize the available resources to assist residents in need of utility services.