Response provided by Jon Locke, Director of Finance:
What would be the effect if we did NOT raise the water/wastewater LIFELINE rates?
The revenue loss would be approximately $2,500.
What would we have to raise the rest?
Since the impact is insignificant, it could be done without impacting the other rates.
How many lifeline rate customers do we have?
There are 114 Lifeline rate customers.
How do we advertise those rates?
Historically the Lifeline rates have not been advertised. Utility Billing will add a notice under Utility Assistance Options (see below) letting customers know that Lifeline rates are available to customers who qualify through Community Action.
How do people qualify?
There is a link under Utility Assistance Options that will take customers to Community Action’s website to complete an application. A Community Action representative will notify the customer if they qualify for the Lifeline program. To be approved for the Lifeline program, the customer’s income must be equal to or less than 50% of the median income for the Austin-San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area and the customer must be experiencing an extenuating circumstance necessitating the need for the Lifeline program.
I don't see them on this webpage - https://sanmarcostx.gov/185/Utility-Customer-Services. I did a simple search for "lifeline" from the main page - didn't find them either.
I can find info about utility assistance. Still nothing about lifeline rates.
The program has not been advertised and a notice will be added under Utility Assistance Options.
Under Extended Payment Arrangements it's probably time to remove "The San Marcos City Council has extended the suspension of utility service disconnections and has also waived all late fees until August 31, 2021. "
Thank you, this statement was removed as of today.
