Item A: Joint Meeting with Eugene Water & Electric Board

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ATTACHMENT D Intergovernmental Relations City of Eugene 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 M Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 EMORANDUM (541) 682-8441 (541) 682-5414 FAX www.eugene-or.gov Date: September 12, 2011 To: Mayor Piercy and City Council and EWEB Board of Commissioners From: Brenda Wilson, Intergovernmental Relations Manager City of Eugene Subject: Background Memorandum for September 12, 2011 Meeting ______________________________________________________________________________ This memorandum provides information on a number of issues and projects that city and EWEB staff are actively involved with. While the issues discussed herein may be of mutual interest to both policy bodies, they are not the focus of the two staff presentations planned for the joint work session. However, following the staff presentations, there will be an opportunity for open discussion. Staff invites questions regarding the topics below and staff contact numbers have been included should you need more detailed information on these issues following our discussion. EWEB’s Enhanced Utility Bill Assistance Program EWEB has a long history of bill assistance programs, and has adapted funding levels and services over time. Most of the major adaptations were made in response to significant economic changes, such as the 2001 energy crisis, when electricity prices soared. Starting in 2002, about $2M in funds were allocated annually for low income bill support using a dedicated funding stream as opposed to relying on voluntary donations. This was a 15-fold increase over previous assistance levels. More recently, in response to the economic recession, EWEB’s Board approved an enhanced temporary assistance fund to help customers with bill payments during the downturn. The Community Care program reached out to multiple segments of the community, such as the newly unemployed, that would not normally be eligible for assistance based on income guidelines. Other programs included funding assistance for shelter care programs, expanded arrearage for senior and disabled customers, loan deferrals, and a crisis fund. Assistance above traditional levels was $3.8 M, $1.8 M and $1 M for 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and was taken from reserves to mitigate any rate impact. A prominent marketing campaign accompanied this effort to raise public awareness of the programs. 1