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A. As provided and specified by the provisions of this section, qualifying low-income households shall be eligible to receive either special utility rates or a rebate on charges paid for water, sewer, and stormwater utility service.

1. Eligible residences must be within the corporate boundary of the city of Lynnwood and served by city of Lynnwood utilities.

2. Special utility rates and rebates apply to base rates, and volume charges as specified, for water, sewer, and surface water. Special utility rates and rebates do not apply to any other fee or to related utility taxes.

3. To be approved, applications for special utility rates or rebate shall include all information required by this section and be submitted during the specified time frames.

4. Households may be approved for a maximum of one special rate or rebate.

5. Subsection (I) of this section states special rates for water service. Special rates for sewer service are provided in LMC 14.40.040. Special rates for storm water service are provided in LMC 13.35.070. The Income Level Statuses A, B, and C used in the city code shall have the same meaning as income thresholds 1, 2, and 3 as defined by RCW 84.36.383.

6. The mayor is authorized to develop administrative policies and rules necessary for implementation of this section.

7. Table 13.20.080A.7 summarizes the application and renewal periods, and the owner or renter occupied requirements for each special rate or rebate program, as follows:

Table 13.20.080A.7. Summary of Special Rate and Rebate Programs

Application Period

Renewal Period

Single Family Residence

Multifamily Residence

Mobile Home

Subsection B. Residence with approved Snohomish County property tax exemption and a Lynnwood utility account. Special utility rate

Any

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

Owner occupied

Owner occupied

Owner occupied

Subsection C. Residence with approved Snohomish County property tax exemption without Lynnwood utility account. Utility charge rebate

Jan. 1 – Nov. 1

Jan. 1 – Nov. 1

Owner occupied

Owner occupied

Subsection D. Residence receiving Washington State assistance. Special utility rate

Any

Nov. 1 – Dec. 31

Owner or renter occupied

Subsection E. Residence receiving Edmonds school district free and reduced-price meals. Utility charge rebate

Aug. 1 – Oct. 31

Aug. 1 – Oct. 31

Owner or renter occupied

Owner or renter occupied

Owner or renter occupied

Subsection F. Low-income resident 61+ years of age or with a disability. Utility charge rebate

Jan. 1 – Aug. 31

Jan. 1 – Aug. 31

Owner or renter occupied

Owner or renter occupied

Owner or renter occupied

Subsection G. Resident with medical necessity to utilize large quantity of water. Special utility rate

Any

Owner or renter occupied

Owner or renter occupied

Owner or renter occupied

Subsection H. Preservation of mobile home park. Special utility rate

Any

Owner or renter occupied

B. Special Utility Rate Based on Snohomish County Real Property Tax Exemption.

1. The residential single-unit property, multiple-unit, or mobile unit shall have a valid property tax exemption from the Snohomish County assessor, pursuant to RCW 84.36.381 through 84.36.385.

2. A qualifying resident shall own and occupy the dwelling as their principal residence and have a household income level in accordance with RCW 84.36.381.

3. Upon verification of eligibility, the special utility rate shall be applied to the next billing period and shall continue through the remainder of the calendar year. Reapplication for each subsequent calendar year is required.

4. Applications for this special utility rate shall be accepted throughout the calendar year. Applications for the subsequent calendar year shall be accepted January 1st through December 31st.

5. The amount of the special utility rate shall be based upon the income level designated by the Snohomish County assessor as provided by Table 13.20.080B.5.

Table 13.20.080B.5. 

Income Level Status Designated on Approved Property Tax Exemption

A

B

C

Special Utility Rate (percent of base rate and volume charges)

40%

45%

50%

C. Annual Utility Charge Rebate Based on Snohomish County Real Property Tax Exemption.

1. An annual rebate on utility charges shall be available to a qualifying owner and occupant of a residential multiple-unit or a mobile home unit without an individual water meter and without a city of Lynnwood utility account (i.e., owner and occupant of a condominium or of a mobile home in a mobile home park).

2. To qualify for a rebate for the current calendar year, applications shall be accepted January 1st through November 1st and demonstrate the applicant resided in the residential multiple-unit or mobile home for the full calendar year.

3. The amount of the annual rebate of utility charge rates shall be based upon the income level designated by the Snohomish County assessor’s office as provided by Table 13.20.080C.3, and shall be the stated percentage of the base rate for that type of account, assuming water usage within the minimum 10 CCF allowance.

Table 13.20.080C.3. 

Income Level Status Designated on Approved Property Tax Exemption

A

B

C

Annual Utility Charge Rebate (percent of base rate)

40%

45%

50%

D. Special Utility Rate Based on Washington State Assistance Programs.

1. A special utility rate based on Washington State assistance programs shall be available to a qualifying resident of a residential single-unit under this subsection (D).

2. A qualifying resident of a residential single-unit shall have an award letter from the state of Washington for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that covers at least a portion of the year for which the special utility rate is requested.

3. Applicants shall occupy the residential single-unit as their principal residence and provide proof that they reside at the address and are responsible for their city of Lynnwood utility bills.

4. Upon verification of eligibility, the special utility rate shall be applied to the next billing period and shall continue through the remainder of the calendar year. Reapplication for each subsequent calendar year is required.

5. Applications for this special utility rate shall be accepted throughout the calendar year. Applications for the subsequent calendar year shall be accepted from November 1st to December 31st.

6. The amount of the special utility rate shall be 40 percent of the bimonthly base rate and volume charges.

E. Annual Rebate Based on Edmonds School District Free and Reduced-Price Meals.

1. An annual rebate on utility charges based on Edmonds school district free and reduced-price meal programs shall be available to a qualifying resident of a residential property under this subsection (E).

2. A qualifying resident shall have an award letter from the Edmonds school district for free and reduced-price meals for a child residing in the residence for all or a portion of the 12-month period for which the rebate is requested.

3. A qualifying resident shall occupy the residence as their principal residence as either owner or renter, for a minimum of six months, and shall be responsible for the rent or mortgage payments for the residence.

4. Applications for this rebate on utility charges shall be accepted from August 1st to October 31st. Reapplication for subsequent years shall be accepted from August 1st to October 31st.

5. Upon approval of the application, the rebate shall apply to utility charges occurring from October 1st in the prior year to September 30th of the rebate payment year.

6. The amount of annual rebate shall be up to 50 percent of the base rate for the type of account, assuming water usage within the minimum 10 CCF allowance, and prorated for the number of months that the applicant resided at the address.

7. Each year, the total amount of funds authorized and available for this rebate shall be $100,000, and the total amount of rebates given to qualifying applicants in any year shall not exceed that amount. Depending on the number of eligible applicants, the amount of rebate awarded to a qualifying resident may be less than 50 percent of the base rate paid by that applicant during the rebate period. An equal percentage shall be awarded to applicants of each account type.

F. Annual Rebate Based on Income Level and Age or Disability.

1. An annual rebate on utility charges based on income level and age or disability shall be available to a qualifying resident of a residential property under this subsection (F).

2. A qualifying resident shall be at least 61 years of age or living with a disability and have a household income that is less than 70 percent of the Washington State area median income (AMI) as published by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

3. A qualifying resident shall occupy the property receiving utility services with or without a utility account as their principal residence as an owner or renter for a period of not less than six months. Applicants shall confirm they are responsible for the rent or mortgage payments for the residence.

4. Applicants with a disability shall provide written proof of disability, such as a disability award letter from the U.S. Social Security Administration or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; a permanent disabled parking privilege issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing; or a Proof of Disability statement completed by a licensed physician.

5. Applications for this rebate on utility charges shall be accepted from July 1st to August 31st for the annual period from June 1st of the prior year to May 31st of the rebate year. Reapplication for subsequent years shall be accepted from June 1st to August 31st.

6. The amount of annual rebate shall be up to 50 percent of the base rate for the type of account, assuming water usage within the minimum 10 CCF allowance, and prorated for the number of months that the applicant resided at the address.

7. Each year, the total amount of funds authorized and available for this rebate shall be $100,000, and the total amount of rebates given to qualifying applicants in any year shall not exceed that amount. Depending on the number of eligible applicants, the amount of rebate awarded to a qualifying resident may be less than 50 percent of the base rate paid by that applicant during the rebate period. An equal percentage shall be awarded to applicants of each account type.

G. Special Utility Rates Based upon Medical Necessity.

1. Qualifying residents shall be eligible for special utility rates based upon medical necessity under this subsection (G).

2. A qualifying resident who requires large quantities of water due to medical necessity (i.e., kidney dialysis) and who occupies the property receiving utility services as their principal residence as an owner or renter shall be eligible for special utility rates under this subsection (G). Applications for this special utility rate shall include written confirmation from the resident’s medical care provider.

3. Qualifying residents shall be charged the special utility rates for Income Level Status C (50 percent).

4. Applications for this special utility rate shall be accepted throughout the calendar year. Following approval of a special utility rate under this subsection (G), the utility customer shall be responsible for notifying the city when the medical necessity for large quantities of water no longer exists.

H. Special Utility Rates Based upon Preservation of Mobile Home Parks.

1. For mobile home parks preserved pursuant to a development agreement in accordance with Chapter 21.29 LMC, the following residential-mobile per unit base rate and volume charges shall apply:

a. Preservation for five to seven years: 50 percent of the base rate and volume charges.

b. Preservation for seven years or more: 25 percent of the base rate and volume charges.

I. Special Water Utility Rates for Residential Single-Units Based upon Income Level.

Table 13.20.080I. Special Water Rates

Water Customer Classification

2023 Bimonthly Rate

2024 Bimonthly Rate

2025 Bimonthly Rate

2026 Bimonthly Rate

2027 Bimonthly Rate

2028 Bimonthly Rate

Special Water Rates, Income Level Status A (40%)

Bimonthly Base Rate

(incl. 10 CCF)

$23.72

$24.91

$26.16

$27.46

$28.84

$30.28

Bimonthly Volume Charge

(> 10 CCF to 40 CCF)

$1.36

$1.43

$1.50

$1.58

$1.66

$1.74

Bimonthly Volume Charge

(> 40 CCF)

$2.05

$2.15

$2.26

$2.37

$2.49

$2.62

Special Water Rates, Income Level Status B (45%)

Bimonthly Base Rate

(incl. 10 CCF)

$26.69

$28.03

$29.43

$30.90

$32.44

$34.06

Bimonthly Volume Charge

(> 10 CCF to 40 CCF)

$1.53

$1.61

$1.69

$1.77

$1.86

$1.96

Bimonthly Volume Charge

(> 40 CCF)

$2.30

$2.42

$2.54

$2.67

$2.80

$2.94

Special Water Rates, Income Level Status C (50%)

Bimonthly Base Rate

(incl. 10 CCF)

$29.66

$31.14

$32.70

$34.33

$36.05

$37.85

Bimonthly Volume Charge

(> 10 CCF to 40 CCF)

$1.70

$1.79

$1.88

$1.97

$2.07

$2.18

Bimonthly Volume Charge

(> 40 CCF)

$2.56

$2.69

$2.83

$2.97

$3.12

$3.27

(Ord. 3426 § 2, 2022; Ord. 3393 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)

* Code reviser’s note: Section 2 of Ord. 3426, which amended LMC 13.20.080 in its entirety, incorporated amendments to a prior version of this section. This ordinance has been treated as only amending Table 13.20.080I.