Committee backs SFPUC plan to accept about $23 million in ARPA funds for utility arrears relief

The Budget & Appropriations Committee on June 20 voted to send to the full Board a resolution authorizing the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to accept and expend roughly $23.4 million in federal ARPA funds aimed at helping ratepayers with accrued water and wastewater arrears.

Jeremy Spitz, policy and government affairs manager at SFPUC, told the committee the grant is the last portion of the utilities’ relief package. "The item before you today authorizes the SFPUC to accept and expend around 23,000,000 in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021…to assist eligible residential and commercial customers who accrued water and or wastewater arrears," Spitz said, noting the funding covers arrears from 06/16/2021 through 12/31/2022.

Why it matters: The committee framed the vote as time-sensitive because the funds and reporting deadlines fall near the close of the fiscal year. Spitz said the SFPUC led a coalition that helped unlock additional state and federal resources for utility arrears relief and credited members of the region’s congressional delegation for supporting the effort.

What the committee did: After the SFPUC presentation and no public comment, Chair Supervisor Connie Chan moved to forward the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation. Members discussed scheduling and committee-report timing; the committee ultimately forwarded the item to the full Board to ensure the funds could be accepted and spent within the required timeframes.

What’s next: The measure will be considered by the full Board at the next available meeting. If approved by the Board, SFPUC will administer the ARPA funds through grant and billing relief programs described to the committee.

Sources: SFPUC presentation to the Budget & Appropriations Committee; committee roll-call motion to forward the resolution.