City of San Antonio - File #: 17-1705

• File #: 17-1705
• Type: Miscellaneous Item
• In control: City Council A Session
• On agenda: 3/9/2017
• Posting Language: An Ordinance authorizing a five-year agreement with the San Antonio Water System beginning calendar year 2017 through 2021 to administer utility assistance credits and water meter discounts, and to accept funds annually for administrative costs in the amount of $258,000.00 from SAWS to administer up to $1.75 million in Affordability Discount Program water meter discounts and up to $200,000.00 in Project AGUA utility assistance credits for the period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. [María Villagómez, Assistant City Manager; Melody Woosley, Director, Human Services]

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
3/9/2017	1	City Council A Session	Motion to Approve	Pass

DEPARTMENT: Human Services


DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley


COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide


SUBJECT:

2017 SAWS Project AGUA and Affordability Discount Programs


SUMMARY:

This ordinance authorizes the execution of a five-year agreement beginning with calendar year 2017 through 2021 with the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) to administer utility assistance credits and water meter discounts, and to accept funds for administrative costs. This ordinance authorizes acceptance of $258,000.00 from SAWS to administer Project AGUA utility assistance credits and Affordability Discount Program water meter discounts for the period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Department of Human Services (DHS) and San Antonio Water System (SAWS) collaborate on two utility affordability programs for low-income SAWS ratepayers: Project AGUA and the Affordability Discount Program (ADP).

Project AGUA
Project AGUA is a utility assistance program developed by the City and SAWS in January 2003. SAWS funds Project AGUA through private and corporate donations that are deposited in a trust fund. The annual Project AGUA amount available for assistance credits is estimated at $200,000.00 per year; however the actual amount available is dependent on actual contributions and interest earnings. The maximum annual assistance per household is $115.00. It is anticipated that 1,739 households will benefit on an annual basis from Project AGUA.

Affordability Discount Program
Established in 2000, the Affordability Discount Program (ADP) provides low income ratepayers with a sliding fee discount on their monthly water meter charge ranging from $3.73 to $21.40. In 2017, $1.75 million will be available for discount credits. Once DHS certifies ratepayers as eligible for the program, they continue to receive the monthly discount for up to 24 months. It is anticipated that 193,275 households will benefit on an annual basis from ADP Program.

Proje...