Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 1:33 p.m.
Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward announced today that about 4,400 City of Spokane utility customers have received a total of $5.1 million in credits to help them get caught up on past-due bills for water, sewer, and solid waste services.
“We hope the funds applied provide much-needed assistance and reduce the lasting financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for our customers and continue our community’s economic recovery,” says Mayor Woodward. “This relief allows so many to start the new year with new hope.”
City utility customers who fell behind on paying their water, sewer and solid waste services bills because of COVID-19 may see a “Relief Credit” line item that reduces the past due balance amount on their January statements. Customers also are being sent a separate letter notifying them of the credit.
On Dec. 12, 2022, Spokane City Council approved $4 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds to aid in paying down outstanding utility bills. This ARPA funding coupled with $1.9 million in state funding from the Department of Commerce provides assistance to customers who are delinquent on their City utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Relief funding was distributed automatically to many customers who had already qualified for support from a variety of assistance programs or who live in qualified Census tracts. There is approximately $800,000 remaining in APRA funds for further distribution to customers who qualify for financial assistance but had not previously sought help. More information on how to access that funding will be available in the coming weeks.
As of Jan. 1, 2023, the City will return to normal bill collection procedures; customers are expected to pay for their City utility services according to their established billing cycle and deadlines.
