CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive the Water Rate Affordability Report and direct staff to develop a Utility Assistance Program
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DEPARTMENT: Finance Department
SUBMITTED BY: Rachel Mayer, Finance Director and Darrell Blenniss, Water Utilities Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Aging infrastructure in the Water Utilities requires the need for greater capital investment, resulting in higher costs for customers. When staff established new rates to address these needs, affordability remained an important consideration. Naperville's water and wastewater rates continue to meet the definition of affordable when compared against several metrics (see Water Affordability in Naperville below); however, the cost of utilities does present challenges for some customers. Some regional financial assistance programs are already available for those customers (see Utility Assistance Programs below).
Last year, the City's Temporary Utility Assistance Program, operated through a partnership with Loaves & Fishes, served as a successful model to supplement other programs. Data gathered from Loaves & Fishes last year showed that financial need is not unique to one group.
Staff recommends that the City continue to offer needs-based utility assistance through a partnership with Loaves & Fishes.
DISCUSSION:
Annually, the City compares its utility rates to those of peer communities, and historically, the cost for services in Naperville are some of the lowest among those communities. Because Council's request for additional information centered on rising water rates, this report primarily focuses on that portion of City utility rates.
Water Affordability in Naperville
There are several published metrics by which the affordability of water and wastewater service can be measured. Staff analyzed Naperville's rates against several of these metrics and consistently found our rates to be affordable.
US EPA Median Household Income Metric
The mos...
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