Council supports expanded low‑income assistance measures, directs staff on eligibility and timing

Albany City Deputy City Manager Kayla Barber Parrada presented a multi-part plan on Aug. 11 to expand and simplify the city’s low‑income assistance program and asked council to provide direction on timing and implementation.

Barber Parrada reviewed the existing program, which provides assistance for customers at or below 60% of state median income and a 50% credit on the city services fee (CSF). Staff reported the program covered 286 households in 2024 and about 153 households year‑to‑date in 2025; staff told council the reduced year‑to‑date participation appears consistent with statewide patterns and has not yet increased shutoffs.

Staff proposed several changes in phases. Immediate and near‑term items include increased outreach, a one‑stop online resource page, and improved shutoff notices. For program eligibility, staff proposed moving to a categorical-eligibility model (beginning with 2026 credits) allowing applicants who are enrolled in SNAP, Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid), or who have received CSC utility assistance to qualify by providing their approval letter; staff estimated this change could roughly double program participation and recommended a one‑page application if implemented.

On the city services fee credit, Barber Parrada proposed raising the credit from 50% to 70% effective Oct. 2025 (coinciding with the CSF change) to soften the impact of recent fee increases on the lowest-income households; she presented staff estimates that the one-time reserve impact for this change would be about $56,000 and that long-term sustainability would be addressed through future utility-fee updates (the existing 35¢ per-bill fee is a potential funding source for expanded assistance programs).

Staff also proposed program expansions in 2026: a low-income emergency shutoff assistance program to begin Jan. 2026 and a sewer and storm assistance program in July 2026. The city intends to explore credit-card fee recovery and other funding mechanisms to support these programs. Barber Parrada said the city had discussed whether the Community Services Consortium (CSC) could continue to administer an expanded program under categorical eligibility; CSC indicated initial concerns but later said it would review whether it could continue administration. If CSC cannot, staff recommended bringing administration in-house and described outreach to other cities for operational guidance.

Councilors praised the approach and unanimously expressed support for the staff recommendations in the work session discussion. Councilor Cleve said, "I'm truly pleased to see that my recommendation to increase the discount on the city services fee for low income residents is being put into action." Several councilors asked for regular reporting and noted the schedule: the 70% CSF credit effective Oct. 2025; categorical eligibility materials and a short application to roll out in October 2025 with credits starting on 2026 enrollments; emergency shutoff assistance targeted for Jan. 2026; and sewer/storm assistance program development for July 2026 and beyond.

Staff asked council for confirmation to proceed; council accepted the recommendations and directed staff to implement the phased program changes, return with procedural details, and include program performance in quarterly reports.

Barber Parrada said one operational step—if CSC cannot support categorical eligibility—would be to set up in-house administration; she indicated staff would bring any administrative transition plan back to council if required.