20210714-D2: Water & Wastewater Commission Recommendation on Customer Assistance Program — original pdf

Council Committee Agenda Request

Name of Board or Commission: Water and Wastewater Commission Request Number: 20210714-D2 Description of Item: Water & Wastewater Commission Recommendation on Customer Assistance Program • Austin Water ratepayers fund the Customer Assistance Program to assist low- and moderate-income customers with their water and wastewater bills It has been proven that some of this funding has been going to customers who own high real-estate assets • • Most program participants are not screened for income, which can lead to further instances where scarce funding for low-income assistance is given to people who do not need it Based on the above, the WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION requests that City Council place an Agenda Item on the appropriate Council Committee Agenda to discuss that the Audit Department conduct an audit of the Customer Assistance Program in the next fiscal year to assure that these relatively scarce funds to help the poor are spent properly. Board or Commission Vote to refer item to Council: Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on an 8-0 vote on Commissioner Moriarty’s motion and Commissioner Turrieta’s second with Commissioner Williams absent and two vacancies. MAYOR’S OFFICE USE ONLY Date of Approval of Request: July 14, 2021 Attachments: ☐ Yes ☒ No If yes, please list the attachments: Attest: Council Committee Assigned: ☐Audit and Finance Committee ☐Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee ☐ Austin Water Oversight Committee ☐Mobility Committee ☐Health and Human Services Committee ☐Housing and Planning Committee Recommend a Fiscal Analysis be completed? Recommend a Legal Analysis be completed? Notes: Mayor Signature & Date: