Porterville council approves programs to help nonprofits, businesses install dedicated irrigation meters
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Summary
The City Council authorized a $50,000 nonprofit grant program and a separate 0% three‑year financing option for commercial properties to install dedicated irrigation meters after discussion about sewer bills tied to mixed‑use meters. Council approved the measure 4–1.
Porterville City Council on a 4–1 vote approved two programs to help nonprofit organizations and commercial customers install dedicated irrigation meters to prevent sewer overcharges tied to mixed‑use water meters.
Council members said the move responds to cases where properties that irrigate large landscaping areas had higher sewer bills because meters measured outdoor water that does not enter the wastewater system. At the meeting Vice Mayor Ed McCurvey said the programs address an unintended “condition” created by the city’s sewer rate structure and urged quick action so organizations can avoid high summer bills.
Under the approved plan, the city will establish a nonprofit irrigation meter grant program that fully funds installations for qualifying nonprofits and does not require repayment; staff recommended using a general fund reallocation to seed the program. The council also approved a commercial repayment program that allows qualifying commercial accounts to finance the meter installation over three years at 0% interest, with repayments returned to the city’s water replacement fund.
Assistant City Manager Michael Knight told council the city could reallocate funds from the current operating budget to cover a $50,000 initial allocation. Council debate focused on whether general‑fund money should be used. One council member said a zero‑interest loan option already exists and that grants should not become a routine use of city operating revenue; other members said the grant program is a narrow remedy for organizations on tight budgets that otherwise face large, recurring sewer charges.
The council’s motion to adopt the programs passed 4–1. Staff will draft program rules, create an application and agreement forms, and begin outreach to eligible nonprofit and commercial customers.
Council members said they expect staff to return with administrative materials and to monitor program uptake and fiscal impact.
