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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK needs to be friendly in terms of access but then also have some capability for online or over-the- phone interviews. There are a lot of people who find it very difficult in the present situation to make that application without hand-holding through the process. A social worker or case manager getting you through the process,just from a practicality standpoint. Councilmember John Voorde left the meeting at 4:43 p.m. Councilmember Broden followed up, Then my other question is, I believe it is both heat and air conditioning assistance for some families, and you have to show that you have a health need for air conditioning. So, I want to make sure we are thinking of that overall that for some families,the burden of assistance is related to heat and others, not. So, they've got a model that extends for other utilities. I think, overall to keep in mind and by the connectivity that already exists between the social service agencies, the need is presented differently at various agencies. So, I go to one (1) agency because I hear they are good for rent assistance. I hear another agency is great for heating or air conditioning assistance. So, if I'm a customer and going to these node entities. But, if the person on the application and agency end are aware of where I've gone and have not gone. Then, I can actually be more helpful in providing for these other needs. I don't know if that makes sense, but do you kind of get a sense from the agency side how best to help that individual and to direct them to the resources? Can you eliminate the knocking on every door, asking if they are eligible? I would like to make sure that as we go forward, someone may come to us for this relief but that we are also aware of the other resources that can impact an individual's ability to pay any utility or any cost of their lives. I think that's what the network helps with. So, in the discussions heretofore, we haven't worked through United Way or been advised by this CAN Network, it would be very helpful if we can see ourselves within that network on this. I can talk to you more offline on it but I have served on the United Way's Emergency Food and Rent Income for three (3) and a half years, and those individuals who consistently apply for those emergency assistance grants, one (1) of the requirements we have at United Way as a Board is that if you're going to be on this program, you have to be connected into this database, this CAN Network, then we are sharing information across organizations. We are really trying to help people wherever they present themselves and to get all the items on their budget that are difficult for them to meet. It's a helpful resource. But, thank you for all your work. I appreciate the conversation and that work. Councilmember Karen White stated, I would just like to thank the Administration for listening when we were discussing increasing rates,there was a lot of conversation. Some Council Members were very passionate regarding the impact it would have on a large percentage of our citizens.The information and data you have presented really confirms that we have a large percentage of our citizens living from paycheck to paycheck. Many are probably working more than one(1) or two (2)jobs. So,this to me sends a very clear message. We, as a City, are sensitive and are working in terms of coming up with programs that will really help adjust what we know we need from a fee perspective. Someone has said to me earlier that we can't fee ourselves out of issues. We can't continue adding fees, even though we know we need additional revenues. We have to look at the impact it has on our citizens and this is a great example of the City and others coming together and looking at it. What we have before us is a collaborative effort and I think, hopefully, it will be approved at the State level. I thank all of you for pulling some really key individuals together and working through it along with the water company, as well. They have had to look at a new system to make sure this is going to be workable. But, thank you so much. EXCELLENCE j ACCOUNTABILITY j INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 6