The City Commission passed an amendment to the City Ordinance that allows qualified elderly residents reduced water, sanitary sewer and sanitation charges. Those residents that meet the guidelines below should complete this application (PDF), provide the needed verification materials and mail to the Utility Billing Division of the Department of Finance:
City of Lawrence
Utility Billing Manager
6 East 6th Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
The purpose of this amendment is to permit qualified low-income elderly persons to have reduced water, sanitary sewer and sanitation charges. A low-income elderly person is one who is sixty (60) years of age or more before the 1st day of January of the year in which the reduced service charge is applicable. To qualify for these low-income elderly reduced charges in 2025:
- The individual shall have an income during the preceding calendar year from all sources of less than $16,566.00 or
- Any elderly person whose filing status is “head of a household” on their annual tax return, with a household income during the preceding calendar year from all sources of less than $22,484.00
A low-income elderly person who applies for reduced water, sanitary sewer and sanitation charges, whose application is approved, shall pay a flat rate monthly charge per dwelling unit of 35% of the regular monthly residential water, sanitary sewer and sanitation charge. The applicant shall supply all information required on forms. Applications made prior to the first of any month and approval shall be granted for the following billing month and through the balance of the year. All qualifying persons must submit new applications annually to be eligible for the reduced rate through the next year. An individual may transfer this special rate status from one address to another unless such individual is disqualified by other circumstances.
This ordinance shall be effective on and after November 15, 2012; the above income limits are effective 1/1/2025. For more information please call (785) 832-7878.