Utility Assistance Rebate Policy RCOFN-016.00 — full text

This is an automated transcription (OCR) of the captured official document — minor recognition errors are possible; the source document governs. Snapshot a94dc0877e45 · verified 2026-06-05 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

## 1. PURPOSE The purpose of this Policy is to establish guidelines for providing a utility rebate to residential consumers receiving bulk water services through a bulk water hauler, and/or municipal sewer services, within the West Hants Regional Municipality, whose total income from all sources, in the previous year, is below a specific amount. ## 2. DEFINITIONS For the purposes of this Policy, the following definitions are provided: - a. CAO - the Chief Administrative Officer of the Municipality. - b. Council - the Council of the Municipality. - c. Councillor - a Council member and includes the Mayor and Deputy Mayor unless the context indicates otherwise. - d. MGA - the Municipal Government Act. - e. Municipality - the West Hants Regional Municipality. - f. Utility - services outlined within this policy including residential sewer services provided by the Municipality and the provision of bulk water to non-utility consumers. - g. Bulk Water Hauler - Water haulers who meet the annual inspection requirements to access the bulk water hauler fillup station. ## 3. ASSISTANCE REBATES - A. Sewer Assistance Rebate This rebate is for residential sewer customers. Qualified applicants are subject to the following conditions: ## WEST HANTS REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY UTILITY ASSISTANCE REBATE POLICY RCOFN-016.00  ## WEST HANTS REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY UTILITY ASSISTANCE REBATE POLICY RCOFN-016.00 - a. A applicant's gross income from all sources, including the income of all persons residing within the home, must be $46,000 or less on Line 15000 of their Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency in the immediately preceding calendar year. This amount will be adjusted yearly as per the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. Proof of such is required for all persons within the home by providing a copy their prior year's Notice of Assessment. - b. The Utility account must be in the applicant's name, or the applicant must have a valid tenant acknowledgment agreement on file. - c. Assistance will not exceed 50% of the previous year's sewer bill and is capped at $200 per year. This amount will be adjusted yearly as per the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. This assistance will be applied directly to water utility account quarterly. - d. The Utility account must be paid in full at the time of application. - e. The sewer assistance rebate will only be granted to residents where the property is their primary residence and occupied year-round. ## B. Bulk Water Assistance Rebate This rebate is for residential customers who receive bulk water from an approved bulk water hauler. - a. A applicant's gross income from all sources, including the income of all persons residing within the home, must be $46,000 or less on Line 15000 of their Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency in the immediately preceding calendar year. This amount will be adjusted yearly as per the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. Proof of such is required for all persons within the home by providing a copy their prior year's Notice of Assessment. - b. The applicant must provide their previous year's bulk water hauler receipts and identify the name of the property owner and civic address where the services  ## WEST HANTS REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY UTILITY ASSISTANCE REBATE POLICY were delivered. - c. Assistance will not exceed 50% of the previous year's water hauling receipts and is capped at $200 per year. This amount will be adjusted yearly as per the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. The rebate will be issued as a one time non-refundable property tax account credit. - d. A property owner's previous year's taxes must be paid in full at the time of application. - e. The water assistance rebate will only be granted to residents where the property is their primary residence and occupied year-round. ## 4. APPLICATION Each fiscal year, the Municipality will advertise the availability of the rebate program. - a. Applicants must complete the form with all supporting documentation attached, as outlined in Section 3 of the policy. - b. Applications will be accepted until July 31 of the current fiscal year. ## 5. REVIEW as necessary. The Municipality will review the Utility Assistance Rebate Policy every three (3) years, or RCOFN-016.00  ## WEST HANTS REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY UTILITY ASSISTANCE REBATE POLICY RCOFN-016.00 1, Deanna Snair, Municipal Clerk of the West Hants Regional Municipality, in the Province of Nova Scotia, do hereby certify that this is a true copy of the Policy as adopted by the Council of the West Hants Regional Municipality at a meeting duly called and held on the 28th day of May, 2024.  | Adoption | Adoption | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Notice to Council | Date: May 14, 2024 | | Approval | Date: May 28, 2024 | | 016.00. Description: Initial approval of Residential Assistance Rebate Policy, RCOFN- | 016.00. Description: Initial approval of Residential Assistance Rebate Policy, RCOFN- |