Oxnard—The City Council, Tuesday, May 21, approved the Utility Rate Assistance Program (Project Assist) assisting eligible Oxnard residents and authorizing the Staff to grant equal to monthly $25 credit for residents meeting financial requirements.
The action also authorizes Staff to fund Project Assist in the fiscal year 2024-2025, utilizing $241,500 paid for utility customers’ late charges.
Administrative Services Coordinator Maria Martinez presented the item and said Project Assist is for eligible solid waste, water, and wastewater utility customers.
“Late penalties from utility customers fund the program,” she said. “For year seven, fiscal year 2023-2024, the Project Assist budget was $241,500, and the financial relief for the customers was $25, allowing for 805 participants.”
She said Project Assist has accepted and enrolled 804 Oxnard residents from July 2023 through April 2, 2024.
“For Project Assist Year Eight, fiscal year 2024-2025, the Staff is requesting to continue to provide financial relief of $25 per residential utility customer and allow up to 805 eligible participants, allocate $241,000 from utility late payment revenues to fund the program,” she said. “The program will commence July 1, 2024, and continue through June 30, 2025.”
Martinez said that given the unpredictable revenue of later payments collected,…
