336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter, CA 93263
Meeting Held In-Person and Via Zoom and Livestream on YouTube.
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING
SHAFTER CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:
Any documents produced by the City and distributed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available in the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours at City Hall located at 336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter CA. In addition, such documents will be posted on the City’s website at www.shafter.com.
CALL TO ORDER: 5:00 PM
ROLL CALL: Mayor Givens
Mayor Pro Tem Olvera
Council Member Alvarado
Council Member Espinoza
Council Member Prout
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Those persons wishing to speak on any item included on the agenda, or on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, are invited to speak from the podium and address the City Council. Speakers are limited to five minutes unless additional time is needed for translation. Please state your name and address for the record before making your presentation.
MANAGEMENT REPORT:
1. UTILITY BILLING SENIOR DISCOUNT PROGRAM - WORKSHOP AND DIRECTION: Council find the action is for informational purposes only and does not trigger CEQA; discuss the concept of a senior discount program for utility billing and provide direction to Staff on whether to pursue further evaluation and development.
ROLL CALL
ADJOURNMENT:
Shafter City Council Agenda
September 16, 2025
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MANAGEMENT REPORT
CITY OF SHAFTER
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 16, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Rogelio Sanchez, Finance Director, Isarel Perez-Hernandez, CMT, Deputy Finance Director
SUBJECT: UTILITY BILLING SENIOR DISCOUNT PROGRAM - WORKSHOP
AND DIRECTION
RECOMMENDATION
Council find the action is for informational purposes only and does not trigger CEQA; discuss the concept of a senior discount program for utility billing and provide direction to Staff on whether to pursue further evaluation and development.
BACKGROUND
The concept of a Utility Billing Senior Discount Program was first introduced to the City Council on July 15, 2025, where staff presented preliminary options and comparisons to similar programs in nearby jurisdictions. On August 5, 2025, staff returned with additional analysis, including fiscal impact estimates, program scope, and administrative needs. Council directed staff to return with a dedicated workshop to further review program design, potential eligibility expansions, and fiscal considerations before moving forward.
Program Scope (Proposal)
• Discount Level: Up to 30% on water service charges.
• Eligibility:
o Age 60 or older
o Primary residence within City limits
o Must be the property owner and utility account holder o Proof of ownership required
o Participation in PG&E CARE/FERA program (or similar income-based criteria)
UTILITY BILLING SENIOR DISCOUNT PROGRAM - WORKSHOP AND DIRECTION - 2 -
o Annual re-certification required
Estimated Participation & Cost
• Estimated 550 participants (about 2.5% of utility accounts) • Estimated annual program cost: $100,000 at the 30% discount level • Recommended funding source: General Fund subsidy, which avoids Proposition 218 requirements and preserves ratepayer equity
Key Policy Considerations
The City Council raised questions regarding the feasibility of extending the program to other groups, including ADA- eligible individuals, senior tenants and fixed-income populations.
Launching a senior utility discount program with a focus scope allows the City of Shafter to build a foundation based on real-world testing, rather than assumptions.
Limiting the initial phase to senior property owners gives staff the ability to evaluate the program's true participation rate, administrative workloads, legal concerns, fraud vulnerabilities, and financial impacts. This ensures the City can make informed, responsible decisions before expanding eligibility to broader fixed income populations.Dr. William D. Leach of the USC MPA program emphasizes that effective public policies and programs benefit from logic models that clearly map out program inputs, outputs, and intended outcomes. Logic models help policymakers test initiatives within a controlled environment and avoid scaling prematurely. This framework aligns with the evaluation guidance from Dr. Arlene Fink (UCLA), who stresses that sound public programs must demonstrate effectiveness, value, and quality before broader implementation. In this case, expanding the discount to include senior tenants, disabled residents, or other fixed-income groups may prematurely jeopardize the programs' sustainability or reduce equity impact.
FISCAL IMPACT
The program is estimated to cost up to $100,000 annually, assuming 550 seniors qualify for a 30% discount on water charges. Funding would be provided through the General Fund. This represents a modest but meaningful investment in supporting Shafter’s senior population on fixed incomes.
CEQA ANALYSIS
This action is not a “project” under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3), as it involves policy direction and funding allocation without physical changes to the environment.
APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY
No
UTILITY BILLING SENIOR DISCOUNT PROGRAM - WORKSHOP AND DIRECTION - 3 -
ATTACHMENTS
1. Senior Discount Presentation - FINAL
CITY OF SHAFTER
Senior Discount Program
BACKGROUND
07/15/2025 – CONCEPT WAS FIRST INTRODUCED.
08/05/2025 – CONTINUATION OF CONCEPT.
09/16/2025 – WORKSHOP AND DIRECTION.
PURPOSE
PRESENT UPDATED OPTIONS FOR UB DISCOUNT PROGRAM
SUPPORT AFFORDABILITY FOR QUALIFYING SENIORS
ALIGN PRACTICES WITH NEIGHBORING CITIES
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED PROGRAM
30% DISCOUNT ON WATER ONLY
TARGE POPULATION: SENIORS 60+ (INITIAL SCOPE)
ESTIMATED PARTICIPANTS: 550 (2.5% OF ACCOUNTS)
ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST: $100,000
FUNDING STREAM: GENERAL FUND
EXPANDING ACCESS: SENIOR TENATS
PROS
PROMOTES EQUITY DURING RATE INCREASE
EXPANDS PROGRAM TO MORE VULNERABLE RESIDENTS
BUILDS GOODWILL
CHALLENGES - SENIOR TENATS
VERIFYING TENANTS IS MORE COMPLEX THAN OWNER OCCUPIED NON-SENIOR TENANTS MAY MANUPULATE DOCUMENTATION
TENANTS MAY MOVE FREQUENTLY, COMPLICATING PROGRAM
SENIOR LANDLORD LEASES PROPERTIES TO NON-SENIORS
CHALLENGES - SENIOR TENATS (CONT.)
REQUIRING LEASE AGREEMENTS & IN-PERSON APPLICANTION
LEASES CREATED INFORMALLY (DOWNLOADED ONLINE)
SENIORS AGREE TO HELP FAMILY OR FRIENDS
LANDLORD ATTESTATION – LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY
SOME LANDLORDS MAY REFUSE TO SIGN FORM
EXPANDING ACCESS: DISABLED RESIDENTS
SUPPORTS EQUITY BY RECOGNIZING THAT DISABILITY NOT JUST AGE
CAN LIMIT INCOME
EXPANDS PROGRAM TO RESIDENTS WHO MAY RELY ON FIXED
INCOME
CHALLENGES – DISABLED RESIDENTS
DEFINING “PERMANENTLY DISABLED” IS COMPLEX
CRITERIAS VARY ACROSS (VA, SS, PRIVATE DISABILITY)
LEGAL CHALLENGES IF IT DENIES APPLICANTS WITH LESS CLEAR
DOCUMENTATION OR TEMPORARY DISABILITY
RE-CERTIFICATION TIMELINES MAY DIFFER
STAFF TRACK ELIGIBILITY ACROSS MULTIPLE DISABILITY TYPES
TENANTS & DISABLED RECOMMENDATION
STAFF RECOMMENDS EVALUATING CORE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE AND
ESTABLISHING PROPER VERIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SENIOR TENANTS, AND A VETTED ELIGIBILITY FRAMEWORK FOR ADA-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.
FIXED INCOME GROUPS
FACT FINDINGS
GROUPS
• VETERANS
• ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
• WIDOWS/WIDOWERS
• LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED
• SINGLE PARENTS
• RECENTLY RETIRED
• IMMIGRANTS
INCOME SOURCE
• PENSION / VA DISABILITY
• SSI / SSDI
• SURVIVOR BENEFITS
• ASSISTANCE OR NONE
• CHILD SUPPORT OR NONE
• PRE-SS FIXED INCOME
• OFTEN SEASONAL WORK
QUALIFICATIONS
AGE OF 60+
ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN PG&E CARES/FERA
RESIDE IN PRIMARY HOME
UTILITY ACCOUNT HOLDER
PROOF OF OWNERSHIP
RE-CERTIFY ANUALLY
WHY FOCUS ON WATER SUBSIDY?
1. WATER USAGE CHANGES MONTH TO MONTH
2. WATER DISCOUNT OFFERS MOST FINANCIAL RELIEF
3. WATER BILLED MONTHLY BY CITY AND EASIER TO TRACK
4. SEWER IS A FIXED COST
5. SEWER DISCOUNT OFFERS LOWER FINANCIAL RELIEF
6. SEWER IS BILLED THROUGH PROPERTY TAXES
FAIR SUBSIDY FOR ALL OF SHAFTER
1. GOSSAMER GROVE IS SERVED BY OILDALE MUTUAL
2. PROPOSED SOLUTION: PARTNER WITH OILDALE WATER MUTUAL A. City approved seniors in Gossamer get same water discount B. Oildale Mutual applies the discount and invoices the City
3. RESULT WILL BE EQUAL SUPPORT FOR ALL OF SHAFTER
COMPARISONS
CITY DISCOUNT UTILITY AGE
DELANO 15% W,WW,RF 60+
WASCO 30% W 60+
FRESNO 10% and 14% WW, RF 62+
VISALIA $13.25 and $12.75 WW, RF 60+
IMPACT
RATE ANNUAL 20% 25% 30%
WATER $48.70 $ 584 64,284 80,355 96,426
$ 584 $ 64,284 $ 80,355 $ 96,426
COUNT - 550
EXAMPLE SENIOR
TOTALS
Monthly
RATE 20% 25% 30%
WATER $48.70 9.74 12.18 14.61
TOTALS $ 9.74 $ 12.18 $ 14.61
EXAMPLE SENIOR
COUNT - 1
OPTIONS (ESTIMATES)
OPTIONS WATER ANNUAL
SUPPORT
A 20% $ 64,284
B 25% $ 80,355
C 30% $ 96,426
WHY START SMALL & SCALE WITH DATA
SENIOR DISCOUNT PROGRAM REFLECTS A COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND
AFFORDABILITY
COUNCIL HAS RAISED QUESTIONS REGARDING FEASIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE PROGRAM TO OTHER GROUPS (senior tenants, ADA-eligible individuals) EFFECTIVE POLICY STARTS WITH TARGETED PILOTS
LAUNCHING WITH A FOCUSED APPROACH ALLOWS FOR DATA-DRIVEN DECISSIONS
BEFORE SCALING UP
SOUND POLICY IS BUILT ON REAL-WORLD TESTING
START FOCUSED, LEARN, THEN GROW
EXPANDING TOO SOON WITHOUT DATA COULD UNDERMINE PROGRAM CREDABILITY
AND STRAIN LIMITED RESOURCES
EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY IN PRACTICE
GOOD POLICY PROGRAMS BEGIN WITH CONTROLLED ENVIROMENTS Dr. WILLIAM D. LEACH (USC) STRESSES THAT LOGIC MODELS HELP POLICY MAKERS
TEST INITIATIVES WITHIN A CONTROLLED ENVIROMENT AND AVOID SCALLING
PREMATURELY
DR. ARLENE FINK (UCLA) EMPHASIZES EVALUATING REAL WORLD IMPLEMENTATION USING SMALL SAMPLES BEFORE BROADER ROLLOUT.
CASE STUDY: COVID-19 LOW VACCINATION RATES
RECOMMENDATION
STAFF RECOMMENDS OPTION C
30% DISCOUNT ON WATER ONLY
AGE OF 60+
ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN PG&E CARES/FERA
RESIDE IN PRIMARY HOME
UTILITY ACCOUNT HOLDER
PROOF OF OWNERSHIP
RE-CERTIFY ANUALLY
SAMPLE - PHASED IMPLEMENTATION
PHASE GROUP INCLUDED TIMING NOTES
PHASE 1 SENIOR OWNER OCCUPIED YEAR 1 CONTROLLED
ROLLOUT
PHASE 2
(OPTIONAL)
SENIOR TENANTS YEAR 2 AFTER PROGRAM
AUDIT
PHASE 3
(OPTIONAL)
PERMANENTLY DISABLED YEAR 3 OR
POST PHASE 2
VETTED VERIFICATION
& LEGAL FRAMWORK
PHASE 4
(OPTIONAL)
OTHER FIXED INCOME PUPULATIONS:
-VETERANS,
-WIDOWS
-SINGLE PARENTS
-IMMIGRANTS
TBD STAFF REVIEW REAL
DATA, COSTS,
STAFFING IMPACTS,&
FRAUD CONTROLS
QUESTIONS ?