Ordinance No. 2025-16 Regarding Low-Income Utility Rate Discounts (Approved 061025) Page 1 3
4902-8407-4819, v. 1
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-16 AN ORDINANCE of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington, Adopting Revisions to BIMC 13.16 to Expand the Utility Rate Reduction Program to all
Low-Income Customers effective January 1, 2026.
WHEREAS, BIMC 13.16 establishes a low-income senior citizen and low-income disabled citizen reductions in water, sewer and storm and surface water management service
charges; and
WHEREAS, as part of the development of the 2024-25 Utility Rate Study, city staff evaluated the impacts of rate increases on low-income utility customers as part of an equity tool-
kit analysis and customer survey, and determined that a more equitable approach to the rate
reduction program was warranted; and
WHEREAS, Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-12, accepting the findings of the
2024-25 Utility Rate Study, including recommended increases to water, sewer and storm and
surface water fees and rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and the concurrent expansion of the
low-income rate reduction program to include three thresholds of potential reductions that would apply to all customers with qualifying incomes.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Low-income customer discounts. BIMC 13.16.082 is repealed, BIMC
13.16.084 and 13.16.086 are renumbered, BIMC 13.16.080 and the renumbered BIMC 13.16.082
and 13.16.083 are amended as follows:
13.16.080 Low-income senior citizen customer discount. Low-income senior citizens customers who meet the requirements set forth in BIMC
13.16.0834 and 13.16.086 shall be entitled to a reduction in water, sewer, and storm and surface
water service charges as established by the city by resolution.
13.16.082 Disabled citizen discount.
Low-income disabled citizens who meet the requirements set forth in BIMC 13.16.084
and 13.16.086 shall be entitled to a reduction in the city’s water, sewer, and storm and surface
water service charges as established by the city by resolution. For the purposes of this chapter, a disabled citizen is a person who is disabled as defined by the Social Security Administration and
who receives Social Security benefits, or any other benefits, for that disability from any
governmental source. (Ord. 2005-04 § 1, 2005: Ord. 92-26 § 4, 1992: Ord. 88-16 § 19, 1988:
Ord. 85-06 § 1, 1985)
13.16.0842 Application for discount.
In order to qualify for the rate reductions set forth in BIMC 13.16.080 and 13.16.082, a
person must file an application for the reduction with the city clerk prior to January 1st of the year for which the rate reduction is desired. Persons qualifying for the discount after the first of
the year may apply at any time at least 30 days prior to the billing date upon which the rate
reduction is to be effective. Applicants must meet the requirements for eligibility set forth in
BIMC 13.16.0863.
Page 2 3
4902-8407-4819, v. 1
13.16.0863 Requirements for eligibility for discount. A. The rate reduction shall only apply to utility charges for service to a residence. The
residence for which the rate reduction is requested must be the applicant’s principal place of residence.
B. The applicant must be the head of the household for the residence for which the rate
reduction is requested.
C. The utility account must be in the applicant’s name or the name of the applicant’s
spouse or in the name of a cooperative or condominium association. In situations where the
utility account is in the name of a cooperative or condominium association, that organization must guarantee to the city that the full benefit of any rate reduction shall be received by the
qualifying individuals under BIMC 13.16.080. or 13.16.082.
D. No person may claim a rate reduction for more than one dwelling unit during the same
billing period.
E. The rate reduction authorized by BIMC 13.16.080 shall not be used in conjunction
with the rate reduction authorized by BIMC 13.16.082.
F. For purposes of this chapter, a “senior citizen” is a person who meets the age
qualifications for a property tax exemption under RCW 84.36.381(3).
GE. For purposes of this chapter, “low income” means that the person has a combined
disposable income in an amount that would qualify the person for property tax exemption under
RCW 84.36.381(5). “Combined disposable income” shall be defined as stated in RCW
84.36.383.
Section 2. Severability. Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of
this ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, be declared unconstitutional or
otherwise invalid for any reason, or should any portion of this ordinance be preempted by state
or federal law or regulation, such decision or preemption shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to other persons or circumstances.
Section 3. Effective date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force January 1,
2026.
PASSED by the City Council this 10th day of June, 2025.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 10th day of June, 2025.
Ashley Mathews, Mayor
Page 3 3
4902-8407-4819, v. 1
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
Christine Brown, MMC, City Clerk
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: June 10, 2025
PUBLISHED: June 18, 2025
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2026
ORDINANCE NUMBER: 2025-16