The purpose of this chapter is to establish reduced rates for water, sewer and stormwater utility services for eligible low-income residents, in an effort to address the challenges that income disparity have on some of the city's residents. This reduced rate is offered consistent with the Washington State Constitution, Article 8, Section 7, to aid the "poor and infirm" residents of the city.
The city's finance director is appointed to administer and implement this chapter, may adopt procedures and an application process consistent with this chapter, and may delegate authority to implement these provisions as needed.
(Ord. 001-23 § 1)
The following words when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) 
"Applicant"
means the person applying to the City for the rate reduction set out in this chapter.
(2) 
"City"
shall mean the city of Port Orchard, Washington, a municipal corporation created and existing under the laws of the state of Washington.
(3) 
"Finance Director"
means the position established at POMC § 2.08.030.
(4) 
"Low Income"
means a resident of the City of Port Orchard with a maximum annual household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines applicable at the time the applicant applies for the rate reduction to the City.
(5) 
"Resident"
means a single occupant, head of a household, or spouse of the head of a household who resides in the dwelling unit as the applicant’s primary resident and does not rent the residence during the applicant’s absence.
(6) 
"Service Charge"
shall mean the monthly fee levied by the City’s stormwater drainage utility set out at POMC § 13.06.100.
(7) 
"Sewer Base Rate"
means the bimonthly sewer rates set out at POMC § 13.04.020.
(8) 
"Utility"
means the water, sewer and storm drainage utilities established and operated by the City.
(9) 
"Water Base Rate"
means the bimonthly water base rate set out at POMC § 13.04.010.
(Ord. 001-23 § 1; Ord. 008-26, 4/28/2026)
(1) 
Water and Sewer. The Finance Director is authorized to discount the water base rate and the sewer base rate for utility services to qualified low-income residents by 35%, provided there shall not be more than one such discount per utility, per household.
(2) 
Stormwater. The Finance Director is authorized to discount the service charge for stormwater drainage utility services to qualified low-income residents by 35%, provided there shall not be more than one such discount per household.
(3) 
Applicants shall verify such information to the satisfaction of the Finance Director or designee, and shall provide such other data as is deemed appropriate upon forms prepared by the Finance Director or designee, and in the manner determined by the Finance Director or designee.
(Ord. 001-23 § 1; Ord. 008-26, 4/28/2026)