Title
An Ordinance approving an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Lee’s Summit and the State of Missouri, through its Department of Social Services, to receive payments on qualifying low-income water accounts, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same. (F&BC 11/1/21)
Body
This is the first-time federal utility assistance monies are available for water and wastewater customers. In the past, funds were only able to be used for electric and gas utilities. This agreement is between the State of Missouri and City of Lee’s Summit authorizing the Water Utilities Department to receive payments on qualifying low-income water accounts.
Key Points:
• Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act the federal government established and funded a new emergency water and wastewater assistance program called the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to ensure low-income households have access to drinking water and wastewater services.
• Under this new federal program, the State of Missouri created Missouri Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. The Missouri Low Income Household Water Assistance Program will issue payments to participating water and wastewater utilities to assist eligible households.
• The Water Utilities department will not play a role in the determination of which households qualify for funds. It’s targeted for customers with the lowest incomes and those customers will be predetermined by the State of Missouri’s Department of Social Services. The State will maintain a list of customers who have received gas or electric assistance in the past and will notify customers to apply via letters mailed to them.
• Customers can receive a max of $750.00 over the 2 years the program is authorized for. At this time, no permanent authorization is in place.
• If authorized, customers will receive a pledge from the State to submit to the Water Utilities Department to suspend collection and shut off activities until the payment is received.
A copy of the agreement document is attached. The terms of the agreement is from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2023.
Proposed Council Motion:
FIRST MOTION: I move for second reading of an Ordinance approving an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Lee’s Summit and the State of Missouri, through its Department of Social Services, to receive payments on qualifying low-income water accounts, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same.
SECOND MOTION: I move for adoption of an Ordinance approving an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Lee’s Summit and the State of Missouri, through its Department of Social Services, to receive payments on qualifying low-income water accounts, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same.
Presenter
Dom Bennett, Lee’s Summit Water Utilities, Account Services Manager
Committee Recommendation
A motion was made by Councilmember Shields, seconded by Councilmember Edson, that TMP-2080 was recommended for approval to the City Council. The motion carried by a unanimous 3-0 vote (Mayor Pro-Tem Lopez "Absent").