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•CITYOFSOTJTHBENDTCommitteeChairTeshkaOFFICE stated, IOF just HE CLERK wanted to ask about what Councilmember Voorde said. <br /> Typically when folks hear the term income-based, they think of tiers based on income, right? <br /> Especially with a user fee like this, it gets real money real quick by saying if you make under this <br /> amount, you pay this or you pay nothing. I would like to see more of an assistance program or an <br /> exemption, so I wouldn't take that off the table. I would also like to say, too,just to put out there, <br /> this is not going to solve our flooding issues. We've got a lot more. This just barely scratches the <br /> surface as far as infrastructure goes. This is specifically for storm water and we are going to have <br /> to address some of those things coming up like CSO and those types of things. We're going to <br /> have to find some money and I think this is something we can bond against. I don't know and we <br /> will have to cross that bridge when it comes but we definitely have some stuff to do. <br /> Committeemember Regina Williams-Preston stated, I really like that idea. Since this is just a two <br /> (2) year kind of a trial, is it something that wouldn't be hard to do to add in that we could have an <br /> exemption for this trial period as well? <br /> Mr. Horvath replied, I would have to look into how that is formulated. Our thought was that we <br /> would get income-based rates to be our assistance program and that is how we would end up setting <br /> those. It wouldn't be necessarily just for seniors but for anybody whose income qualifies. I think <br /> the challenge is trying to figure out the most uncomplicated way as possible, in that regard. There <br /> will be some rate sensitivities we will have to look at. We will have to make some assumptions <br /> about how many people would qualify for the program. Ultimately when we go to income-based <br /> rates, it will be a revenue neutral scenario. It will mean there will be some of us paying more and <br /> some paying less. That is how the structure will work. <br /> Committeemember Williams-Preston followed up, I guess what I'm thinking is we are going to <br /> know about the income-based. What I heard was by June 1, we would have a proposal that the <br /> City would bring to Council. That doesn't mean it will start then. The Council might look at that <br /> but then you still have to deal with the State, right? That's a whole other process. My thought was <br /> since we're doing this two (2) year kind of pilot or stop gap, maybe we could try out this model <br /> and after two (2) years we could assess that and see how that worked and decide if that is the way <br /> to go. Again, I don't know how hard that would be. <br /> Councilmember Voorde interjected, The Auditor has got some sort of verification process. I don't <br /> know what it is but it works for them. <br /> Committeemember Williams-Preston made a motion to send Bill No. 61-18 to the full Council <br /> with an unfavorable recommendation. Committeemember Davis seconded this motion which <br /> failed by a voice vote of two (2) ayes and two (2) nays (Committeemember Teshka and <br /> Committeemember McBride). Council President Tim Scott broke the tie with a nay vote. <br /> Committeemember Williams-Preston then made a motion to send Bill No. 61-18 to the full Council <br /> with no recommendation. Committeemember McBride seconded this motion which carried by a <br /> voice vote of three(3) ayes and one (1) nay(Committeememeber Davis). <br /> With no further business, Committee Chair Teshka adjourned the Utilities Committee meeting at <br /> 4:59 p.m. <br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION I INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 1 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.south bend in.goy <br /> 8 <br />