POULSBO — The Poulsbo City Council approved discounted utility rates for low-income residents, in the wake of rate increases, Jan. 14.

“This is some tremendous work the city did, to work this out for our citizens who are low- income, and shelter them from the rate increases,” Councilman Ed Stern said shortly before the council unanimously approved the discounts.

“I appreciate the city being so responsive.”

The discounts will take effect Feb. 1 and will be available to water, wastewater, and stormwater customers in Poulsbo.

“This codifies things you approved as we went through the budget,” City Engineer Andzrej Kasiniak told the council Jan. 14.

“You are increasing the base (water) rate from $11.64 to $14.13. You are increasing stormwater rates to $16.43 from $10.57.”

The programs now have an updated definition for those eligible for discounts: low-income seniors and residents with disabilities.

A “low-income senior” is a person age 65 and older whose total income does not exceed $30,000.

A “low-income disabled citizen” is a person who qualifies for disabled parking privileges, or is blind, handicapped or incapacitated as defined by state law, and whose income does not exceed 125 percent of the U.S. Census Department poverty threshold.

A person must apply and be approved by the city for the discounted rates.

The rate hikes and discounts were discussed as the City Council considered its 2015 budget in late 2014. The connection fee for the water utility went up to $4,227, and rates rose 13 percent.

A new discount program was also discussed during budget talks. Ten ratepayers are taking advantage of Poulsbo’s discount programs. Kasiniak told the City Council in November that he believed far more people could be eligible for a discount, so he proposed a new program.

Kasiniak estimated that around 200 residents could be eligible for the program.

2015 UTILITY RATES

WATER
Base charge
Single residential family: $14.13
Multifamily: $14.52
Low-income senior: $9.89

Consumption charge
includes 400 cubic feet of consumption
Single residential family: $6.25
Multifamily: $6.93
Low-income senior: $6.18

WASTEWATER
Base charge
Single residential family: $47.59
Multifamily: $50.38
Low-income senior: $22.30

STORMWATER
Service rate
Single residential family: $16.43
All other accounts: $16.43
Low-income senior: $9.86

WATER CONNECTION FEE
for new development
Old fee: $2,477
New fee: $4,227