Manteca residents 60 years and older that meet income qualifications to avail themselves to reduced PG&E rates may also qualify for discounted City of Manteca solid waste, sewer, and water services charges.
The basic charges for the three services are targeted to rise to $139.49 per month on May 15.
Based on a proposal before the Manteca City Council when they meet tonight at 6 o’clock, they could have that cost reduced by $42.10 each month.
The combined basic charge for the three municipal services are expected to be ratcheted up on an annual basis until they reach $170.10 by 2028. That excludes actual water use as well as weekly solid waste cart service bey9ind one cart each for recyclables, organic waste, and garbage.
The city currently uses low-income senior citizen guidelines established by the federal Housing and Urban Development Agency as qualification levels.
There are currently 230 Manteca residents 60 years and over who qualify and who have taken advantage of the existing city discount.
Staff is proposing the council switch to the California Alternative Rate for Energy (CARE) income guidelines as it relates to PG&E customers.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) program mandated for for-profit utilities requires PG&E to offer up to 20 percent lower energy rates for households that meet specific qualifications.
For PG&E customers, it reflects households of one to two people with an annual income of less than $40,800.
City staff projects 519 Manteca households where the age of the person paying for municipal utility service is 60 years or older will qualify for the service.
Since it is against the law under Proposition 218 for the other classes of utility customers to subsidize others, staff is recommending the money to cover the discounts be taken from penalties collected on delinquent accounts.
That amount last year was $262,000.
The discount would be applied across the monthly charges for sewer, water, and solid water service.
In order to qualify, a copy of the most recent 1040 federal income tax form demonstrating income eligibility and/or Social Security statement for each member of the household that earns income must be submitted.
Documentation required must be submitted to the city no later than July 15 of each year.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
