HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-01-J11 Additional Fund Allocation to WACS for Utility Bill AssistanceAGENDA ITEM:
CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: March 1, 2021
AGENDA ITEM:Consideration of a resolution allocating additional funding to Waukee
Area Christian Services for qualifying low-income resident utility billing
assistance
FORMAT:Resolution
SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: The cold weather this month resulted in an
increase in the average utility bill and may cause hardships for low-income residents. The City
has received reimbursements not previously anticipated in this year’s budget making
additional funds available to provide economic assistance for families in need.City staff
recommends allocating up to $35,000 from toward utility bill assistance for low-income residents.
The City has an existing 28E agreement with Waukee Area Christian Services (WACS) to
provide assistance to qualifying low income residents who need assistance with rental and utility
payments. WACS is willing to administer funds for the purpose of providing additional assistance
related to qualifying low income residents utility payments.
FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS:
COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT:
STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT: City staff recommends approving up to $35,000 toward
such assistance.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS: I. Proposed Resolution
PREPARED BY:Becky Schuett
REVIEWED BY:
PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION –
NAME OF PUBLICATION:
DATE OF PUBLICATION:
J11
THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
RESOLUTION 2021-
APPROVING ALLOCATION FROM THE CITY OF WAUKEE TO WAUKEE AREA
CHRISTIAN SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENT UTILITY BILLING
ASSISTANCE
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
WHEREAS, the City of Waukee, Dallas County, State of Iowa, is a duly organized Municipal
Organization; AND,
WHEREAS, Waukee Area Christian Services has a long history of providing much needed
social services in the community; AND,
WHEREAS, on June 15, 2020, the Waukee City Council and Waukee Area Christian Services
entered into a 28E agreement to address the need within the City of Waukee to provide
emergency rental and utility assistance to qualifying low income Waukee residents (Resolution
#2020-219); AND,
WHEREAS, February 2021 brought an historic cold streak, including 13 days with temperatures
reading at or below zero, causing Waukee natural gas customers to use high levels of gas to heat
homes and businesses, and leading to utility bills that are higher than usual; AND,
WHEREAS, the Waukee City Council recognizes that there are low income Waukee residents
in need of further financial assistance to help pay utility bills following the record cold; AND,
WHEREAS, the City of Waukee has received reimbursements not previously anticipated in this
year’s budget making additional funds available to provide economic assistance for families in
need.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Waukee City Council that a one-time
contribution of up to $35,000.00 from to Waukee Area Christian Services for their low-income
utility payment assistance program to be administered in accordance with the 28E agreement
with the City is hereby approved.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Waukee, Iowa, and approved this the 1st day of March,
2021.
____________________________
Courtney Clarke, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________________
Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk
RESULTS OF VOTE: AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Anna Bergman
R. Charles Bottenberg
Chris Crone
Larry R. Lyon
Ben Sinclair