By Simone Boyd
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
A bill designed to significantly reduce the water bills of low-income residents was advanced by the Baltimore City Council this week and is set for a final vote on Monday.
The legislation, which was first proposed by Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young last year when he was the council president, would also create an Office of Water-Customer Advocacy and Appeals as well as a Committee for Office Oversight to help poorer city residents who have trouble paying their water bills.
Under the proposed bill, residents who are at 50 percent of the federal poverty level would not have to pay more than 1 percent of their overall income for water services. Those who earn between 100 and 200 percent of the poverty level would pay no more than 3 percent of their income for city water.
The new water consumer office would hear complaints from residents who feel they are being over charged. The bill would also make it easier for renters to qualify for the lower rates.
“To deny citizens … affordable water is to deny them access to the most basic human right,” Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton said. “Tonight, after months of hearings, work sessions and testimony we present to the full council legislation that will make water services affordable for all citizens of Baltimore.”
The bill was written and presented to the council by the Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee.
Young ordered an audit of the city’s water billing system on Oct. 23. It will compare account records to real property records, development permits to water billing accounts, search for other billing irregularities and recommend improvements that will increase accuracy for the city’s water billing system.
Members of a group called Food & Water Action attended the meeting wearing bright blue shirts and attire with index card sized stickers on display. The organization advocates for an income-based water billing program for the city of Baltimore.
In other news, the lives and legacies of former Congressman Elijah Cummings and former Mayor Thomas D’Alesandro III were remembered as members of the council said their remarks.
Councilmember Mary Pat Clarke, who represents the 14th District, recalled D’Alesandro as “Young Tommy” who made important changes in equity and inclusion throughout Baltimore.
Council President Brandon Scott recalled the impact Cummings had on him.
“Now it’s up to us,” he said. “We all have to continue to push that work because it is a big, big hole to fill, but he would not have left us if he didn’t think we were up to filling that hole.”