§ 14-23. Discounted sanitation fees for citizens meeting certain criteria.

(a)

This section shall be known and cited as the "Discounted Sanitation Fees Ordinance."

(b)

Intent. It is the intent of this section to lessen the financial burden on low income senior citizens of the city by discounting their sanitation fees by thirty (30) percent provided they meet the criteria contained herein.

(c)

Public purpose. The city commission finds that the intent of this section, and the effect thereof, is non-discriminatory, and fulfills a public purpose within its power to legislate under the Charter of the City of Cordele, the laws of the State of Georgia, and the laws of the United States.

(d)

Citizens who meet the criteria contained in this subsection, whose residences are being charged for city garbage service, shall be entitled to receive the discount provided by subsection (b) hereof:

(1)

No type of business or service is provided at the residence;

(2)

The gross income of the household from all sources is less than eight thousand dollars ($8,000.00) annually;

(3)

The head of the household is age sixty-five (65) and above;

(4)

No tenants reside in the residence;

(5)

No other resident is receiving income;

(6)

The residence is not public housing or a subsidized housing unit;

(7)

Cash assets are less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00);

(8)

Regulation garbage containers are used; and

(9)

Affidavit forms, provided by the city, are completed, filed with the city clerk, and approved by the city clerk.

(e)

Affidavit forms shall be provided by the city to any citizen of the city seeking the discount authorized by this article. The city clerk shall approve all such affidavits which show that the applying citizen meets the criteria set forth in subsection (d) hereof, and the citizen shall be granted the discount beginning with the next billing cycle of the city. No retroactive discounts shall be allowed. If the affidavit shows that the citizen fails to meet the criteria set forth in subsection (d) hereof, the city clerk shall disapprove the discount.

(f)

It shall be the duty of every citizen approved for the discount herein provided to immediately notify the city clerk in the event the citizen no longer meets the criteria of the discount herein provided. Upon such notification the discount shall be discontinued.

(g)

The city clerk may, at any time after the discount herein provided is granted, request by ordinary mail that the citizen provide a new affidavit. The request shall be in writing addressed to the citizen at the location where city garbage collection is being provided to him or her, and the citizen must provide the new completed affidavit within fifteen (15) days after the date of the request or the discount shall be discontinued.

(h)

The granting of the discount provided in this section does not give a property right to the citizen for future discounts, and this section may be repealed by the city commission at any time.

(i)

It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this section, or to provide incorrect or insufficient information on the affidavit required hereunder. Any person found guilty of any such violation shall, upon conviction in the Cordele Municipal Court, be punished by the judge of said court within the limits provided by section 7.03 of the Charter of the City of Cordele, Georgia (Ga. L., 1969, pp. 3850-3851).

(Ord. No. 0-96-28, §§ 1—9, 12-27-96)