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Filed in Clerk's Office NOV 1 8 2020 DAWN M. JONES CITY CLERK, SOUTH BEND, IN CITY OF SOUTH BEND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS November 17, 2020 Ms. Karen White President, South Bend Common Council 4th Floor, County-City Building South Bend, IN 4660 I --- Re: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADJUST THE WASTEWATER LOW-INCOME CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM RATE Dear President White: The attached ordinance amends the low-income wastewater customer assistance program to provide a more significant credit to those customers. Clean water and wastewater are essential human needs that require adequate funding to ensure the continued delivery of safe water on a sustained basis. The funding required for these services can put low-income residents in a difficult situation when deciding whether to pay their sewer and water bill, their rent, or buying food. The onset of Covid-19 has made these decisions increasingly difficult as the economic fallout from the pandemic has disproportionately impacted low-income households. This ordinance amends the low-income customer assistance program and provides a more substantial monthly credit on the wastewater bill that better meets the needs of the residents given the issues brought on by the pandemic. The credit is eligible to sewer customers that meet the low-income thresholds outlined in the State of Indiana Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program guidelines. The ordinance establishes three tiers of credit ($15 $21, or $28.50) depending on the household income and number in the household. A sewer fee of $2.62 per month per wastewater customer account will be assessed to offset the low-income credits. I look forward to discussing this ordinance at the Council's Committee meeting and at the public hearing. If you have any further questions or need additional information, please let me know. As always, thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, 1:� Eric C. Horvath City of South Bend Executive Director Public Works EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 1316 County-City Building 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9251 f 574.235.9171 www.southbendin.gov Bill No. 62-20