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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2024-042 Adopting the Town of Marana Water Conservation Rebates Policy MARANA RESOLUTION NO. 2024-042 RELATING TO WATER; ADOPTING THE TOWN OF MARANA WATER CONSERVATION REBATES POLICY WHEREAS the Town of Marana Water Department has maintained a Water Conservation Program since 1997; and WHEREAS the Department has identified, and the Town Council has provided guidance relative to, the need for a water conservation rebate program; and WHEREAS the has Town applied for and received a Water Infrastructure Authority of Arizona (WIFA) grant for a pilot customer rebate program; and WHEREAS the Department has now drafted a Water Conservation Rebates Policy to provide guidelines for how to apply the Town's customer rebate program; and WHEREAS the Mayor and Council find that adopting the Water Conservation Rebates Policy is in the best interests of the Town and its citizens. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MARANA, ARIZONA, AS FOLLOWS: the Water Conservation Rebates Policy, substantially in the same form attached to and incorporated by this reference in this resolution as Exhibit A,is hereby approved,the Town's Manager and staff are hereby directed and authorized to undertake all other and further tasks required or beneficial to carry out the policy, and the policy shall hereafter be applied, revised, amended, and otherwise maintained administratively by Town staff. -1 - Resolution No.2024-042 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Marana, Arizona, this 7th day of May, 2024. Mayor Ed onea ::7ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: David L. Udall, Town Clerk Ja airall, Town Attorney 1 M jA AZ ESTABLISHED 1977 -2- Resolution No.2024-042 MARANA AZ WATER Exhibit A to Resolution No. 2024-042 Date May 7, 2024 From: Jing Luo, Water Director Water Conservation Rebates Policy EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY Purpose The purpose of this document is to define the policy for the Town of Marana Water Department to provide water conservation rebates to its customers. Background This policy applies to Marana Water and its customers and is intended to be reasonably consistent with water conservation rebates offered by other water providers within the Town, e.g. Tucson Water and the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District. Under State regulation, the Town must provide an assured water supply for all its water customers and maintain programs for water conservation and drought preparedness. In addition to the regulatory driver for water conservation programs, these efforts tend to lower per capita water use, which in turn leads to lower costs and improved reliability of water supplies. Marana Water has maintained a Water Conservation Program since 1997, by adopting best management practices (BMPs) recommended by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) and working with the non-profit WaterCASA to implement the BMPs. Over time, the utility has developed an in-house water conservation program and has included additional BMPs as its water service area expands. The Department is now seeking to implement the ADWR-recommended BMP for customer rebates, with an adaptive management approach. This approach will rely on the Drought Preparedness Team, which is comprised of staff from several key Departments and was established to adaptively prepare for and respond to drought conditions. Policy Marana Water will establish an adaptive program by piloting an initial set of water efficient items eligible for rebate and evaluating each type of rebate offered on an annual basis (or more frequently). Rebates may take the form of checks provided to customers for 11555 WEST CIVIC CENTER DRIVE/MARANA,ARIZONA 85653 / (520)382-2500 / FAX: (520)382-2590 / MaranaAZ.gov items they have purchased or items offered for purchase at a discount to the customer. Marana Water will work with the Finance Department as necessary to provide rebates to customers. Marana Water will review the rebate programs offered by other local or regional providers, identify pilot rebates, and will evaluate the efficacy of each rebate type over a defined pilot period. Evaluation After the pilot period for a rebate, Marana Water will review its evaluation with the Drought Preparedness Team. Marana Water will standardize or discontinue evaluated rebates and pilot additional rebates based on the recommendation of the Team. Rebates will be evaluated by costs and benefits, including costs and benefits to the utility, customer, and community, using a decision framework approved by the Drought Preparedness Team. Eligibility and Requirements Customers of Marana Water will be eligible for rebates on a first-come, first-served basis. Marana Water will prepare forms of application for all rebates offered. To receive the rebate, Customers must apply via the forms provided by Marana Water, and their application will be deemed complete when Marana Water receives all the information required on the application form. Requirements will include documentation, such as receipts and photos, and customers must allow Marana Water to inspect installations. Program Oversight Costs for rebate programming will be part of the Town's annual budget process, requiring approval by Mayor and Council. Marana Water will provide Council with an annual report (or more frequently as appropriate) on the status of its rebate program, including costs and benefits of all rebates offered and/or utilized. Authority This policy was approved by the Marana Town Council on May 7, 2024, at its regular Town Council Meeting and will be applied and amended administratively by Marana Water. II 11555 WEST CIVIC CENTER DRIVE/MARANA,ARIZONA 85653 / (520)382-2500 / FAX:(520)382-2590 / MaranaAZ.gov