HomeMy WebLinkAboutD-8 LIHEAP Agreement
CONSENT CALENDAR
TO: HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE AZUSA UTILITY
BOARD
FROM: GEORGE F. MORROW, DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES
DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2014
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT WITH STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR LOW INCOME HOME
ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Utility Board (1) adopt Resolution No. UB-10-14 approving
agreement with the State of California for residential Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) to assist qualifying electric customers with their electric bills, and (2)
authorize the Mayor to execute attached agreement with the State of California.
BACKGROUND
For many years, Azusa Light & Water has offered the LIHEAP program to qualifying low-
income residential customers. This program is federally-funded and administered by the State’s
Department of Community Services and Development. The State of California has contracted
with the Long Beach Community Action Partnership (LBCAP) to process the necessary
paperwork for qualifying residents. Azusa Light & Water Customer Service Representatives
typically refer customers to LBCAP who then sets up appointments with customers and meets
them at the Azusa Library on Mondays to process their applications.
For eligible customers, the program will pay a portion of their utility bills. The amount of
payment varies depending on the program’s budget, formula used for each county, and level of
individual customer need. During FY 2013-14, 279 LIHEAP applications totaling $73,126 were
processed by the LBCAP at our library. Assistance averaged $262 per eligible customer. This
program has been a significant help to many of Azusa’s low-income senior residents and other
low-income residents, and during the first 2 months of this fiscal year, 51 applications were
approved providing $15,468 in benefits to our customers.
D-8
LIHEAP Program Agreement
September 22, 2014
Page 2
An approved agreement with the State is required to continue to this program. The attached
updated agreement covers the period of October 1, 2014 through April 30, 2017, and must be
approved by Resolution. The agreement has been reviewed and found legally acceptable by the
City’s legal counsel.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of this program on the utility is minimal and includes a minor amount of staff
time to promote the program to customers and process payment files received from LIHEAP
administrators. These costs are far outweighed by the benefits customers receive from this
program in the form of assistance with utility payments.
Prepared by: Cary Kalscheuer, Assistant Director - Customer Care & Solutions
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. UB-10-14
2. Agreement