City Council wants residents to delay their debt..

I heard about Councilwomen Ellen Robertsons proposal for the city not to turn off city utilities on the news last night. It was also, mentioned on the Rivercity Rapids blog as well. Here is my take on this proposal. Councilwomen Ms. Ellen Robertson proposes that the city will not turn off City Utilities (Gas,water,sewer) during Dec - March for those that may get behind in their bills. This idea is already in action and has been for the past few years - to my knowledge for those folks who qualify for the seniorcare program. So, as good as the intentions are of Ms. Robertson -- I agree with Snoopy (Rivercity Rapids) in that -- what happens in April when folks have an $800+ Utility Bill??
It's nice to see that the city may agree that the real problem is that the cost of gas is ridiculous during the winter months. The City Utilities can run as low as $25 - 35 dollars a month during spring and summer. Then winter comes and bills increase as much as $200 - 300 a month. Their are some programs for folks to get assistance. The city has their own heating assistance program called metrocare - you probably see it when you pay your bill asking you to donate money towards it. Basically, that program pays 1 months bill up to $500. Sounds like a good program - curious about how many people would actually qualify for it. The City Social Services also has a heating and cooling assistance. That one is a little tricky - its based on income of coarse but to qualify you have to have a past due balance - with the application due in November - not to many people would already have a past due balance from the summer bills. To me one of the best plans is the budget plan where it spreads out all of your costs so you pretty much pay the same amount month to month. City doesn't pay anything for you. But I wonder if you do the budget plan are you still eligible for the other programs. Another problem is -- the folks that this applies to -- more than likely live in a house thats not very energy efficient. I remember living in Church Hill - I might as well of had the windows open...
Anyway, So Ms. Councilwomen sounds like you are trying -- but how about improving the heating assistance program.