* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Conaway
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Department of Social Services - Procedures for Prepayment - Electric Bills
FOR the purpose of requesting that the Baltimore City Department of Social Services establish procedures for pre-payment of electricity services for its clients households, with the electricity service costs being automatically deducted from future and ongoing benefits to the occupants of the households.
Body
Recitals
Beginning June 1, 2007, there will be a rate increase put in place on all BGE customers in the State of Maryland. In order to help aid people in paying these increases, the Baltimore City Department of Social Services should have a plan for pre-payment, in which clients of the Department can use their current and future benefits to pre-pay their BGE bills.
In addition to providing clients the ability to pre-pay their BGE bills using their ongoing benefits, this program should also provide for a payment plan for service cut-offs. Currently, if service to a property is cut-off due to non-payment, a customer must then pay the balance in full in order to have services turned back on. This plan should provide customers the ability to repay their past due bills over a certain period of time and allow the arrears to be deducted on a monthly basis. This will allow customers to have their services turned on, while working with BGE and the Department of Social Services to pay the past due bills.
During the hot summer months, many Baltimore City Citizens will not be able to properly cool their homes due to the high price of electricity. The Department of Social Services was created to provide services to help maintain families safely in Maryland communities. Now more than ever, the Department of Social Services is needed.
With the help of a Social Services program developed specifically with these new rate increases in mind, those who cannot afford to pay their electric bills may be able to keep from having their power turned off due to their inability to afford their monthly bills. Hopefully by working together, the citizens of the City of Baltimore will know that help is being provided, and that they will be able to pay their BGE bills now and in the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body requests that the Baltimore City Department of Social Services establish procedures for pre-payment of electricity services for its clients households, with the electricity service costs being automatically deducted from future and ongoing benefits to the occupants of the households.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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