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Board considers tiered discounts to expand low-income water assistance
Summary
Staff proposed amending the low-income residential water customer assistance program to add a second tier with a 25% discount tied to county-level low-income definitions, keeping a 50% tier for existing Liberty Care enrollees and reserving 60% of funds for the higher-need tier; staff cited 28 participants in 2024 and a $50,000 annual cap.
Staff presented recommended changes to the district’s low-income residential water customer assistance program, which was established by resolution in 2023 and currently provides a 50% rate reduction for eligible customers with a $50,000 annual cap.
"So the current program was established at the end of 2023 through resolution number 2339, and that established a 50% rate reduction for eligible low income customers on their 0.75 inch monthly water meter base rate," the presenter (S5) said. Staff reported 28 participants in 2024 out of an estimated 88 possible participants and proposed a two-tiered discount structure: keep the existing 50% reduction for Liberty Care enrollees (tier 1) and add a 25% reduction (tier 2) for customers who meet an expanded low-income threshold based on the California Department of Housing and Community Development county-level definitions.
S5 said staff would reserve 60% of program funds for tier 1 participants and 40% for tier 2, and recommended using attestation for tier 2 applicants to lower administrative burden while preserving the district’s right to verify income. Staff also described outreach steps—translated flyers, social media, and an online application—to increase enrollment; staff reported a greater than 200% increase in program web traffic over three months and seven new applications since September. The presenter said the board would be asked to consider adopting a resolution to amend program eligibility.
