HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 12/13/2016 - Memorandum From Kevin R. Gertig Re: Utilities Staff Responses To November 15 City Council Meeting For Utility Rate Ordinances And Adoption Of The Utilities BudgetUtilities Executive Director
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700 Wood St.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6702
970.221.6619 fax V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: November 30, 2016
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
FROM: Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
RE: Utilities Staff Responses to November 15 City Council Meeting for Utility Rate
Ordinances and Adoption of Utilities Budget
This memo is in response to the questions presented at the November 15 City Council meeting
pertaining to agenda items:
Second Reading of Items Relating to 2017 Utility Rate Ordinance
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 126, 2016, Being the Annual Appropriation Ordinance
Relating to the Annual Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2017; Adopting the Budget for
the Fiscal Years Beginning January 1, 2017, and Ending December 31, 2018; and Fixing
the Mill Levy for the Fiscal Year 2017.
Citizen Participation
Below are the identified questions and/or comments with responses from Utilities staff:
1. What are the ways Utilities supports low income customers or those struggling to pay
their utility bills based on rates increases?
RESPONSE: The attached document, “Utilities Affordability Portfolio,” presents the suite of
resources available to Fort Collins Utilities customers. The portfolio is the result of a
comprehensive review that identified Utilities’ integrated role in assisting low income
customers, as well as customers who are experiencing temporary challenges paying their
utility bill. Enhancements to date include additional funding, convenience of multiple
locations and strengthened partnerships with the non-profit community that supports low
income customers. Utilities’ recognizes the portfolio of programs and services is not funding
all of those customers who may need help or are eligible for low income services. For
instance, based on census data, Utilities has approximately 9,000 customers below 165% of
the Federal Poverty Level, and the Payment Assistance Fund, in the 2015-2016 program
cycle, assisted 453 customers.
Efficiency programs are promoted to all customers via a range of outreach tactics (e.g., bill
inserts, advertising, website, social media, and partnerships, to name a few). The Efficiency
Works Neighborhoods program, piloted this year, was very successful in middle income
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neighborhoods and will be incorporated into the Utilities Efficiency Works Home program
for 2017. The Larimer County Water & Energy Program, serving low income customers, is
scheduled to start-up again in January. Residents can sign up for this free direct install
assessment at http://larimerworkforce.org/young-adults/lccc/home-efficiency-assessment/.
For any customer, including those with electric heat, we encourage Councilmembers to direct
customers who have high electric bills to contact Utilities Energy Services
(utilities@fcgov.com). Subject matter experts provide support to navigate options for
improving efficiency.
2. Are payments made directly to the contractor as part of the Home Efficiency Loan
Program (HELP) and is an up-front payment required from the customer?
RESPONSE: Yes, the HELP program currently allows payments directly to the contractor
and will continue to do so under Elevations Credit Union. The loan can be for 100 percent of
the project cost, with payments made directly to contractors upon completion. This
eliminates any out-of-pocket funding barrier for customers. The transition of the Home
Efficiency Loan Program (HELP) to Elevations Credit Union began when:
The HELP program ceased processing any new applications for funding from
Utilities reserves on October 21.
The Efficiency Works program began referring customers to Elevations Credit Union
starting November 10.
Note that HELP was not initiated specifically to serve low income customers. As
authorized originally by Council, the program included credit score requirements,
which may be correlated with income levels.
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UTILITIES AFFORDABILITY PORTFOLIO
Fort Collins Utilities collaborates at state and local levels to offer the most comprehensive portfolio of
affordability programs to customers. Through direct and indirect partnerships, Utilities maximizes funding,
outreach and participation for available assistance programs.
PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FUND
Households with a current past due notice may receive
financial assistance once per 12-month cycle.
fcgov.com/paf
1-800-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435)
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Qualifying households requiring medically
necessary electrical equipment or air
conditioning may be eligible to receive
an electric utility bill discount.
fcgov.com/medical-assistance
970-212-2900, V/TDD 711
UTILITIES REBATE
A utilities rebate is available
to people who meet the
income requirements that
are either aged 65 years or
older or who are disabled.
fcgov.com/rebate
970-416-2304, V/TDD 711
SOLAR AFFORDABILITY
PROGRAM
Qualifying customers may be entered
into a lottery to receive a varying
solar electric bill credit for 12 months.
fcgov.com/solar-affordability
WATER AND ENERGY PROGRAM
Free home efficiency assessments are
available to help reduce utility costs.
larimerworkforce.org
970-498-6600
LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(LEAP)
LEAP helps with wintertime heating costs to income
qualified households between November 1 and April 30.
larimer.org
970-498-7730
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM
Free weatherization improvements are
available to qualifying households.
bouldercounty.org
720-864-6401
LARIMER HOME
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
(LHIP)
LHIP offers low- to
no-interest rate loans to income
qualified families to repair
or improve their homes.
lovelandhousing.org
970-667-3232
CRISIS INTERVENTION
PROGRAM
Emergency home furnace repair is
available for qualifying Coloradans.
energyoutreach.org
1-855-4-MY-HEAT (1-855-469-4328)
UNITED WAY 2-1-1
2-1-1 is an information and referral service that provides a
comprehensive list of resources and community programs.
uwaylc.org/get-help
970-407-7066
10/16 16-3872
• fcgov.com/utilities-affordability
• utilities@fcgov.com
• 970-212-2900, V/TDD 711
Aids and services are available for persons with disabilities.
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