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Tumwater staff identify ~294 households potentially eligible for utility Lifeline; estimated $252,000 annual impact if all enroll
Summary
Staff told the Budget & Finance Committee that initial analysis found about 294 residents who appear to meet Thurston County property-tax relief criteria and therefore could be eligible for the city’s Lifeline utility rate (50% discount). If all enroll, staff estimated a revenue reduction of about $21,021 per month (roughly $252,000 per year).
At the Jan. 24, 2025 Budget & Finance Committee meeting, City of Tumwater staff reported that an internal review identified roughly 294 accounts that appear to meet the eligibility criteria for the city’s Lifeline utility program, which offers a 50 percent discount to qualifying customers.
Staff described the identification method as a match to Thurston County property-tax relief criteria and said those property-tax relief recipients are treated as automatically eligible for the Lifeline utility discount. Using an assumed average utility bill of $143, staff calculated the program’s budgetary impact if all identified accounts enrolled: a reduction in utility revenue of roughly $21,021 per month or about $252,000 annually.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about household types and billing arrangements. Staff said the list currently reflects accounts that pay property taxes and that it could include single-family homeowners, owners of small multi-unit properties, or landlords depending on how billing is arranged; staff noted they had not yet quantified how many renters who receive assistance may be excluded from that initial count.
Staff said the city plans outreach to make eligible customers aware of the Lifeline option. They cautioned that the program, if fully used by all identified accounts, would create an unplanned budgetary impact to water, sewer and stormwater funds and that budget amendments or other offsetting steps might be required.
The Lifeline program update was presented as part of a pair of interwoven items: staff said they are simultaneously pursuing a cost-of-service and affordability review (work being done in parallel) and that results from the larger study will inform any long-term changes to assistance programs.
No formal council action was taken at the committee meeting. Staff said they will continue outreach and refine eligibility and cost estimates; if enrollment grows as projected, staff indicated they may need to request budget adjustments in a future amendment.
