15.04.127 Utility Rates, Connection Fees and Capital Facility Charges for Low-Income Persons.
A. “Low-Income” Defined.
“Low-income ” means a household in which the total annual income is below the very low-income level for the Seattle/Everett area as established and amended by survey from time to time by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
B. Reduced Utility Rates for Low-Income Customers. Low-income households who are utility customers shall be eligible to apply for utility services at reduced rates as follows:
1. At one-quarter of the monthly minimum charges, and full charges for all overage consumption for qualifying income under 50 percent Snohomish County Average Medium Income (AMI); or
2. At one-half of the monthly minimum charges, and full charges for all overage consumption for qualifying income under 60 percent Snohomish County AMI.
Low-income households in which the principal financial resources are provided by a person meeting the definition of “low-income” may apply for the reduced rates. The application shall be made upon forms furnished by the City and approved or denied by the City Finance Director or designee. Appeals of the determination of the City Finance Director or designee shall be to the City Hearing Examiner. The decision of the City Hearing Examiner shall be final.
The City may require a customer who is receiving service at a reduced rate to provide information annually to confirm their continued eligibility for the special rate.
The reduced rate provided shall apply only to residential customers who pay the City, or contracted solid waste hauler, directly for their utility services.
C. Payment Plan for Utility Connection and Capital Facility Charges Allowed. Low-income households in which the principal financial resources are provided by a person meeting the above definition of a low-income senior citizen or a disabled person may apply to defer the payment of Utility Connection and Capital Facility Fees. The application shall be made upon forms furnished by the City and approved or denied by the Mayor or his/her designee. As a condition of approving such application, customers will be required to authorize or consent to a lien for the amount of the Utility Connection and Capital Facility Fees and such lien will be recorded with the County Assessor. Payment of the lien shall be required on the sale or refinance of the property.
A low-income person is required to annually re-qualify for the deferral program on a form designated by the Mayor or their designee. Should the program participant fail to re-qualify, payment of the Utility Connection and Capital Facility Fee shall be due and payable 90 days from written notice by the City.
Customers requiring services in excess of a five-eighths-inch single-family residential service shall not qualify for a deferral of the Utility Connection or Capital Facility Fees regardless of income.
Appeals of the determination of the Mayor or his/her designee shall be to the Utility Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner’s decision shall be limited to determining whether the applicant meets the qualifying criteria established by this ordinance. The decision of the Utility Hearing Examiner shall be final. (Ord. 1923, 1999; Ord. 2341, 2017; Ord. 2494, 2024)