CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL Winter Usage: Based on last winter's billing cycle, all the eligible low-income customers used 24 units or less. The average was 10.4 units forwinter usage. 3. Do we know if participation in this program changes water consumption behavior? A. While specific data on changes in water consumption behavior among program participants is not yet available, the recent adjustment to lower the maximum water usage threshold for discount eligibility—from 30 CCF to 24 CCF per billing cycle—is intended to promote conservation. This change is designed to encourage participants to adopt and maintain responsible water -use habits over time by providing both an incentive and a clear conservation target. 4. What are the estimated administrative costs to manage this program currently? Are costs anticipated under the staff recommendation, including outreach? A. The administrative costs of the current discount program is absorbed by the Utility Billing and Customer Services division. The division processes utility billing and payments, provides customer services to all residents, handles Public Works department complaints and services requests, and coordinates with the Utilities Division on water meter reading, water meter replacement, and troubleshooting. Administration of the current discount program is absorbed underthe utility billing function as one of the many roles and tasks that this division performs daily. The current process is manageable with existing staff, since staff relies on the certification from the PG&E CARE program for the low-income discount program and a resident's driver's license for the senior discount program. Staff can continue to absorb the majority of the work if the staff recommendation of using the PG&E CARE income threshold is approved. If the City Council selects Alternative 1 or 2, it is anticipated that the City will need to upgrade 4 part-time staff to full-time status to supportthe administrative needs of the modified program. 5. Does the discount apply to the first 24 (or 30 CCF) if you exceed, or does the discount only apply if you stay under the threshold? A. The discounts are applicable for each billing cycle when the customer uses 24 CCF (or 30 CCF) or less water. The discount will not be applied if customers exceed the maximum water usage threshold. 6. Can our billing system do this if we want to move in this direction? A. Yes. 2