Supporting the Reduction of Utility Deposits for Low and Middle-Income Residents

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RESOLUTION NO. Y101- A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA SUPPORTING THE REDUCTION OF UTILITY DEPOSITS FOR LOW AND MIDDLE - INCOME RESIDENTS -!'!'fce�, the South Bend Common Council has been advised that in 2004, approximately $3 million was paid for heating assistance alone in St. Joseph County, Indiana; and Wes, the South Bend Common Council is aware that significant changes addressing deposits, disconnections, the filing of complaints, and other regulations are being proposed which will affect regard to gas, electric, telephone and sewer utilities; and 9eaa, the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission (IURC) is proposing changes to the administrative rules on customer service rights . and responsibilities and utility laws that may be beneficial to utility customers; and 99weaa, the South Bend Common Council recognizes that utility deposits are almost impossible for many low- income and middle- income residents to pay, and in such instances create hardships upon them as well as on the community service organizations which help to provide financial assistance; and %',� mmp, the Common Council believes that the proposal which would reduce utility deposits to the average of one (1) month of a yearly billing would be a fair and practical solution and therefore supports this measure in an attempt to lessen the hardship imposed upon all utility consumers; and 99weaa, the Common Council does not support the use of predetermined credit scores based on a person's ability to pay utility bills in order to determine whether or not a deposit will be required. r r r / I/ r r .� G r 29 r r 96ond / Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, urges the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission to adopt rules and regulations which will be fair and equitable to all concerned.