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Committee recommends updating utility refund eligibility to follow federal poverty guidelines
Summary
The recommending committee supported bill 2026-23 to tie public utility refund eligibility to HHS federal poverty guidelines and allow Finance to extend application deadlines; staff said the program processed about 400 refunds historically but only 60 last year due to limited application windows.
The Las Vegas recommending committee voted to recommend ordinance updates that would align eligibility for city utility refunds with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services federal poverty guidelines and allow the Department of Finance to lengthen application windows.
Susan Heltzley, chief financial officer, and a finance staffer told the committee the change would automatically update eligibility thresholds as federal poverty guidelines change and avoid repeated ordinance revisions. "Basically what we are doing is updating the federal poverty guidelines so this bill would be completely in sync with that as they go up every year," Heltzley said.
Staff said the program historically issued more than 400 refunds in peak years but only issued about 60 refunds last year because there was insufficient time for applicants to apply. Heltzley said staff plans outreach and will provide flyers and information through community centers. She described the refund structure: sewer rebates provide a 20% rebate on what a household paid last year; for gas, electric and telecom the city rebates local taxes only.
Councilwoman Brun asked how many people had participated and whether a flyer could be included in the council newsletter; Heltzley said she would share a flyer when available. Councilwoman Cara Kelly pressed for an aggressive communications rollout, noting that increased eligibility could materially help households this year.
A committee member moved to approve the item and the motion carried; the ordinance will be eligible for adoption at city council on July 1.
