Seniors, Disabled Lose Utility Rate Discounts

Seniors and low-income disabled residents of Kent who should be getting a discount on their water and sewer utility bills have not been getting those discounts for four years.

The city has had a longstanding policy to provide a 20 percent discount to Kent utility customers who are 65 or older or who qualify as low-income disabled residents.

But in December 2007 approved a policy change that sent water and sewer bills to a property's owner or landlord instead of the tenant. A landlord can't qualify for discounts on behalf of their tenants, so senior and low-income disabled residents living in rental properties started being billed at the standard rate after the policy change four years ago.

And city officials don't know just how many people should be getting the discount but are not.

Dave Coffee, Kent's budget and finance director, said the city recently found a way to return those discounts to the eligible tenants with the city's new utility billing software, but they won't be able to start the discounts again until sometime after Jan. 1.

"We've identified the means to do that," Coffee said.

The city's billing software does recognize owner-occupied water and sewer customers who are eligible for the discount. About 600 senior and low-income disabled Kent residents who own their homes are getting a discount on their water and sewer bills.

Kent City Councilwoman Tracy Wallach said she estimates the number of residents who should be getting the discount but don't to be several hundred based on the fact Kent's housing stock is more than 60 percent rental units.

Wallach tried to delay the Wednesday because there are residents who still aren't getting that discounted rate, but ultimately council approved the increases — though the start dates were delayed.

"We really need to ensure that’s going to be done," Councilman Robin Turner said of the discounts.

Councilwoman Heidi Shaffer asked city administrators for a full report on the issue at council's committee meeting in January.

In the mean time, residents who are 65 or older or qualify as low-income disabled residents can apply with the city to receive the discount on their water and sewer bills. Residents can contact to apply for the discount.