Glendale Water & Power raises Glendale CARE discount to $35 a month for eligible customers

The City Council approved a change to the Glendale CARE low‑income electric bill discount, increasing the discount from $23.50 per month to $35 per month effective Jan. 1, 2025, and appropriated $800,000 from the Public Benefit Charge (PBC) fund to cover the remainder of the current fiscal year. GWP staff said the increase raises the discount from about 23% to roughly 34% of the average low‑income customer bill.

Assistant General Manager Audrey Isayan presented the proposal and said approximately 11,314 customers currently participate in the CARE program. Staff estimated the increase will add about $1.6 million in recurring annual costs to the PBC program; the $800,000 appropriation covers the remaining six months of the fiscal year. GWP staff said the PBC’s revenue stream (a percentage of electric charges) will not be increased; the appropriation will use fund balance in the PBC.

Council members asked questions about eligibility thresholds (program follows 250% of the federal poverty level as implemented by the council) and how many participants fall into the lower bands; staff said they would supply a breakdown of participant income bands on request. Several council members and public commenters supported the increase to help low‑income households facing higher utility bills; one council member urged staff to preserve or expand energy efficiency programs that deliver longer‑term bill reductions.

Vote: Unanimous approval by roll call of the resolution to increase the CARE monthly discount to $35 and the appropriation of $800,000 from the PBC fund for the remainder of the fiscal year.

What’s next: staff will implement the higher monthly credit beginning Jan. 1, 2025, continue outreach to eligible customers, and report back on participation and PBC program allocations as they review other PBC‑funded programs.