Resolution No. 20-24 CITY OF TIGARD, OREGON
TIGARD CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 20-Z�
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A MONTHLY UTILPI'Y CREDIT FOR UNEMPLOYED
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS OF TIGARD UTILITIES
WHEREAS,the City of Tigard ratified a declaration of emergency in response to COVID-19 on March 17,2020
and extended that declaration of emergency on April 21,2020; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant unemployment, with the Oregon Employment
Department processing about 22,000 initial claims for unemployment insurance in Washington County between
March 24 and April 18, 2020, 14.4 times higher than this same time last year when approximately 1,500 claims
were processed;and
WHEREAS,while every industry has been affected by COVID-19 in the last five weeks, Accommodations
and Food Services, Health Care and Social Assistance,and Retail Trade have consistently accounted for more
than half of processed UI Claims for Washington County; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that unemployed customers may be struggling with every day expenses,
including paying utility bills;and
WHEREAS,the City recommends crediting up to a flat S40 per month for residential utility customers served by
a Tigard utility who are unemployed and in need of assistance;and
WHEREAS, the City currently has a program administered by St. Vincent de Paul whereby the nonprofit may
provide financial assistance on a customer's water bill upon an income-based demonstration of need. Financial
assistance is currently limited to $200 per month and not more than 3 months within a rolling 12-month period.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Tigard City Council that:
SECTION 1: Upon verification of unemployment eligibility, as determined by the City of Tigard, the City
may credit up to W per month towards a residential customer's Tigard utility account. The
credit is available to all residential customers served by a Tigard utility, including customers
outside the city limits for whom Tigard provides water service. A customer must reapply for
the credit each month in order to continue receiving it.
SECTION 2: This utility bill credit program will remain in effect until December 31, 2020 or until the
$750,000 that the City has allocated for this program is spent,whichever comes first.
SECTION 3: The City may adopt rules and procedures to implement this utility credit program.
SECTION 4: The Council requests staff negotiate a temporary agreement with St.Vincent de Paul to remove
the 3-month and $200 a month limitations on assistance through December 31,2020.
SECTION 5: This resolution is effective immediately upon passage.
RESOLUTION NO. 20- Zl}
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PASSED: This .day of A 2020.
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-Mayor-Cite of Tigard
ATTEST:
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Deputy City Recor r-Ci of Tigard
RESOLUTION NO. 20-Z�
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