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Title:
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REPORT - APPROVAL OF CHANGES TO SANTA ROSA WATER’S HELP 2 OTHERS (H2O) PROGRAM
BACKGROUND: The Help 2 Others (“H2O”) water bill assistance program provides financial assistance to qualifying residential customers. The program uses non-ratepayer revenue to pay for qualified customers’ fixed water and sewer fees. Program expenses have grown at a faster rate than revenue due to a variety of factors: increased program enrollment, water and sewer rate increases, and the loss of several telecom leases. The H2O program is currently in an unsustainable financial position, and changes are needed to continue the program.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water that the Board of Public Utilities, by motion, approve the following changes to the Help 2 Others program: 1) For Fiscal Year 2027, add 50 applicants from the wait list to the program and lower the program subsidy to 75% of fixed fees; and 2) For Fiscal Year 2028, lower the program subsidy to 50% of fixed fees.
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Code sections:
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15061(b)(3) - General Rule Exemption, 15378 - Not a Project
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