Low-income Bayfield water and sewer customers might get a discount on those utility bills
Town trustees discussed the issue at their board meeting on Aug. 4. Town Manager Chris La May noted there already is a 50-percent discount on water bills for low-income customers over age 55.
"We have a sewer customer who requested the senior discount, but we haven't been able to find it codified anywhere," he said, although the town application says water and sewer.
The town uses federal poverty guidelines to determine eligibility. "Should it apply just to seniors?" La May asked. "Should it be just income?"
Currently applicants just certify that their income is as stated, he said. "There's the state LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance)) program. (Applicants) have to provide more information. There are communities that use LEAP qualification. That takes away a lot of the administration. You bring that in, and we will give you the (discounted) rate for the following year."
Mayor Rick Smith commented, "It was first thought of because the seniors were on a fixed income. The demographics of the town have changed since then. A fixed income isn't always tied to age." He liked the idea of tying it to LEAP qualification but worried that someone might apply to the town in June while LEAP applications aren't taken until November.
It should be both water and sewer, and customers with just sewer service, Smith said.
Town sewer service includes Gem Village and the Homestead Trails subdivision.
Trustee Michelle Nelson was concerned that a discount for some might push up rates for everyone else. "Maybe look at a different percent of discount if it puts a burden on other citizens instead of 50 percent," she suggested. "Everybody has been burdened in the last couple years with increases."
She likes using the LEAP qualification. "It might get them some other assistance too," she said.
La May said, "If we find it's taxing the system, we can revisit it."
Smith suggested La May should bring a former proposal with qualification based on LEAP, "not necessarily 50 percent."
Asked how many customers get the discount now, La May said he thinks it's around five.
