“The goal is to try to make it easier for people to apply,” said Sylvia Emparano, Tucson Water’s deputy director. “One of the reasons people refuse is that they don’t have documents to prove their identity, and so one of the goals of the mayor and council was to make it as easy as possible and they have to self-certify the total number of people.” Had to do it. People who are living in the house.”
The city council also approved an emergency hardship program for customers facing job loss, serious illness or loss of family, regardless of their income. Emparano estimates that this aid will be available by March 1.
Customers who can provide documents proving either of these circumstances will be eligible for a credit of up to $150, depending on their need and availability of program funds. The average customer’s water bill is $42 per month, so the program will provide an average of about three and a half months of coverage.
“Our call takers who deal with customers on the front line hear from people that they cannot pay bills, because of this. Something has happened in his life, it is a temporary crisis that he needs little time or help to get his finances in order, ”said Amparano. “It’s just a little help to get out of that temporary crisis.”
City employees estimated the program would cost $350,000 to $450,000 per year in addition, but Emparano called this a “rough estimate” because it’s not clear how many customers will take advantage of the program.
“The goal is to try to make it easier for people to apply,” said Sylvia Emparano, Tucson Water’s deputy director. “One of the reasons people refuse is that they don’t have documents to prove their identity, and so one of the goals of the mayor and council was to make it as easy as possible and they have to self-certify the total number of people.” Had to do it. People who are living in the house.”
The city council also approved an emergency hardship program for customers facing job loss, serious illness or loss of family, regardless of their income. Emparano estimates that this aid will be available by March 1.
Customers who can provide documents proving either of these circumstances will be eligible for a credit of up to $150, depending on their need and availability of program funds. The average customer’s water bill is $42 per month, so the program will provide an average of about three and a half months of coverage.
“Our call takers who deal with customers on the front line hear from people that they cannot pay bills, because of this. Something has happened in his life, it is a temporary crisis that he needs little time or help to get his finances in order, ”said Amparano. “It’s just a little help to get out of that temporary crisis.”
City employees estimated the program would cost $350,000 to $450,000 per year in addition, but Emparano called this a “rough estimate” because it’s not clear how many customers will take advantage of the program.
At the highest estimate, the new options would bring Tucson Water’s annual low-income program cost from $1.8 million last fiscal year to about $2.25 million this year. For now, that money will come from general utility revenue, as differential rates only went into effect on December 1 and are not expected to be spent until next year, according to Amparano.
Pima County has sued the city for the policy change and is in active litigation to eliminate differential rates. If the county is successful in disbanding the city’s implementation of different rates, it is unclear whether the city council’s goals for low-income support, climate resilience and infrastructure will be met to the same level without those funds. .
“We will fulfill our commitments to the community expressed by the mayor and council. This includes our strong customer support program approved by the mayor and council,” Assistant City Manager Timothy Thomure said in an email.
The city council voted Tuesday to split the $9.9 million in differential rate funding into thirds for each of the three dedicated areas. This means the low-income program will have about $3.3 million in funding, leaving room for further growth.
One idea for expanding the program is to extend water rebates to renters. To qualify for a water exemption, Tucson Water customers must have a utility description in their name—a requirement that many renters do not meet.
Emparano told the mayor and council on Tuesday that one concept is to create an agreement between tenants and landlords who have the utility in their name. If both parties agree to the exemption, the amount can be removed from the tenant’s rent.
“How can we help tenants who don’t necessarily have bills in their names, making sure they actually get the benefits, not the landlord?” Amparano said. “We need more time to see if that makes sense and how much it will likely cost because the more we expand, the more it costs, and we have to make sure we can fund it. “