07-18-2014 BPU RPT 09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Approve a Fourteenth Amendment to the Agreement with the County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services — Department of Community Action to extend the SHARE program from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 in the amount of $1.9 million; and 2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to approve payments up to 25%, or $475,000, above the SHARE contract amount if allocated funds are depleted before the contract term ends. BACKGROUND: The SHARE program, established in 1989, is a Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) Public Benefit program that provides low-income residents with utility bill assistance. Originally supported by direct custorner contributions, in 1999 under the guidelines of Assembly Bill (AB) 1890, which authorizes local utilities to spend Public Benefits Charge funds for lo-w-income assistance, Public Benefits funds were added to support the electric portion of the program. On July 1, 1999, the City of Riverside entered into an Agreement with the County to administer the program, The original agreement has been extended 13 times as the program has been working effectively, and the program has assisted approximately 62,000 residential customers. Staff feels the SHARE program continues to successfully fulfill the AB 1890 obligation and recommends a fourteenth amendment to extend the contract for one-year. The funding Will remain at $1 .9 million, with approximately $1.633 million towards customer assistance and approximately up to $267,000 for the County's administration fee to continue assisting low-income residents that apply for the aid. Assistance will be $150 per eligible low-income customer for the electric portion of their utility bill on a one-time per ,. anniversary" year basis from receiving the aid. Staff considered taking over the full administration of this program from the County; however, after several process improvements were put into place by the County, it was determine to continue the current relationship. Staff may decide to re- evaluate this option at a future date following the relocation of the main Customer Service location in the downtown area, which is expected in 2015.