2024/08/28 Council Agenda Packet

City Council Agenda Item Cover Sheet Project title: A Professional Services Agreement with Catholic Community Services to administer Everett Utilities Low-Income Assistance Program. Council Bill # interoffice use Project: Everett Utilities Low-Income Assistance Program Partner/Supplier: Catholic Community Services Location: Citywide Preceding action: Previous Agreements signed 8/16/17 and 12/4/20 Fund: 401 – Water & Sewer Utility Fund Agenda dates requested: Briefing Proposed action Consent 8/28/24 Action Ordinance Public hearing Yes X No Budget amendment: Yes X No PowerPoint presentation: Yes X No Attachments: Proposed Agreement Department(s) involved: Public Works Contact person: Shaun Bridge Phone number: 425-257-8823 Email: sbridge@everettwa.gov Initialed by: RLS Department head Administration Council President Fiscal summary statement: The source of funds will be Fund 401 – Water & Sewer Utility Fund and the programmed available funding over the life of the 4-year agreement will be $200,000. Project summary statement: Since 2017, Everett Utilities has been offering financial assistance to qualifying customers who are at risk of service disconnection. This program has been administered by Catholic Community Services since inception. By contracting this service out, our internal customers are provided a high level of customer service, and the contractor is better able to provide additional resources on other programs that our low-income households may qualify for. The current agreement expires in December and the department is recommending that City Council authorize the Mayor to sign a new agreement which will be in effect from 2025 through 2028. Two key changes that the Department would like to implement in this agreement are increasing the annual benefit and expanding program eligibility to vulnerable seniors who already qualify for a low-income senior/disabled rate. The annual benefit is currently $500, and this agreement will increase that amount to $700. This is necessary to reflect the increasing monthly rate for utility services and maintain the benefit level. Currently, those customers who qualify for a low-income senior/disabled rate are ineligible for the low-income assistance program. This agreement will remedy that by allowing a reduced benefit that will supplement the existing low-income senior/disabled rate. Recommendation (exact action requested of Council): Authorize the Mayor to sign the Professional Services Agreement with Catholic Community Services to administer Everett Utilities Low-Income Discount Program.