§ 1147.19. Low income discount for commodity charges.  


Latest version.
  • (A)

    For purposes of this section, "low income residential customer" is defined as a direct residential customer of the city (whether inside the city or outside the city) having a total income of less than one hundred fifty (150) percent of the poverty level as published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census or who is eligible for food stamp benefits, Ohio Medicaid, Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), Home Energy Assistance (HEAP), Ohio Works First, Social Security Disability, public housing benefits, or any other state or federal low income assistance program acceptable to the director.

    (B)

    All low income residential customers may receive a twenty (20) percent discount on the commodity portion of their sewer bill. This discount will be available to the low residential customer upon application to and approval of the department of public utilities.

    (C)

    The Director may adopt regulations necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this section. Regulations promulgated, pursuant to this chapter by the Director shall be published in the City Bulletin, with copies of the regulations being available for public review at the Director's office and other locations which may be designated by the Director.

    (D)

    Master metered properties are eligible to receive a twenty (20) percent discount on the commodity portion of their sewer bill if the property owner proves to the satisfaction of the Director that eighty (80) percent or more of the rental units are participants in qualifying programs outlined in 1105.21, (A). If the eighty (80) percent threshold is met, the entire building or complex will be eligible to receive the twenty (20) percent commodity rate discount. The discount shall be applied to the master meter bill. Property owners must transmit the full benefit of the discount to residents through the resident's utility billing from the property owner or agent.

    (E)

    Master metered suburban community customers are eligible to receive the low income discount if the master metered suburban customer adopts the low income discount program as described in Sections 1105 and 1147 of Columbus City Code. Participating master metered suburban community customers must provide a detailed listing of all qualifying customers and their commodity usage prior to application of the discount to the mastered metered account billing. The discount shall apply only to the measured commodity usage of qualifying customers within the master metered suburban community's customer accounts.

(Ord. 1904-05 § 2: Ord. 962-06 § 1 (part); Ord. 1708 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2635-2014 , §§ 3, 6, 12-7-2015, eff. 2-1-2016)