HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2018-004FVHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO.
2018 -067A
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council O ace
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
Pub Wks & Health /
Originator:
LHC
21122018
MED
E C E V �Q LE D
FEB 0 6 2018
2113118
Council
Division Head:
AD
21212018
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor.
a -oZ "t
WHATCOM COUNTY
Purchasing /Budget:
A A
COUNCIL
Executive: *1\10
O� '
TITLE OF DOCUt 1:•
Resolution relating to Whatcom County Veterans Assistance Program eligibility income standards
ATTACHMENTS. —
Resolution
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO Requested Date: !I
SUAIMARYSTATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate. Be
clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
The Whatcom County Veterans Program proposes change to program income eligibility standards.
COtY1i' HTTF,E ACTION:
COUNCIL ACTION..
2/13/2018: Forwarded to Council for approval
2/13/2018: Approved 7 -0, Resolution 2018 -004
Related County Contract #.
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number:
Res. 2018 -004
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing on
the County's website at. www co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
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SPONSORED BY: Health Department
PROPOSED BY: Veterans Advisory Board
INTRODUCTION DATE: 2/13/2018
RESOLUTION NO. 2018 -004
Whatcom County Veterans Assistance Program Eligibility Income Standard
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Veterans represent approximately ten percent of the
population;
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Veterans have served us honorably and deserve an
opportunity to have their basic needs met;
WHEREAS, too many Whatcom County Veterans are struggling to meet basic needs
such as affordable housing, food, healthcare, childcare and necessary transportation;
WHEREAS, Washington State law, RCW 73.08.080, authorizes counties to impose
property tax collection for the purpose of aiding local Veterans;
WHEREAS, Whatcom County collects property tax millage with a portion dedicated
to establishing a Veterans Assistance Fund to aid local indigent Veterans;
WHEREAS, Washington State law, RCW 73.08.005.6, assigns the county legislative
authority, and Whatcom County Code, Chapter 2.150, assigns the County Council and the
County Executive the authority to set the eligibility income guidelines of the Veterans
Assistance Fund;
WHEREAS, The higher cost of living in Whatcom County is such that the Veterans
Assistance Program current eligibility income guideline of 150% of Federal Poverty Level is
too low to meet the basic needs of local lower income Veterans;
WHEREAS, Veterans with an income greater than 150% of Federal Poverty Level
and less than Area Median Income are financially unable to cover unique but basic
necessary expenses;
WHEREAS, The inability to cover such critical expenses leaves lower income
Veterans vulnerable to job, education, and housing instability;
WHEREAS, An eligibility income level based on 60% of Area Median Income more
accurately reflects the income eligibility level required to meet basic needs of local low
income Veterans.
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WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Veterans Advisory Board, formally established in
Whatcom County Code, Chapter 2.150, supports the increase of the Veterans Assistance
Program eligibility income level from 150% of Federal Poverty Level to the locally adjusted,
regionally specific and annually set guideline in order to meet the needs of local lower
income Veterans;
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Veterans Advisory Board, formally established in
Whatcom County Code, Chapter 2.150, supports the increase of the Veterans Assistance
Program eligibility income level to 60% of Area Median Income in order to meet the needs
of local lower income Veterans;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that
Veterans Assistance Program eligibility income guideline shall be based on Area Median
Income and set on an annual basis.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that
Veterans Assistance Program eligibility income guideline shall be set at 60% of Area Median
Income for 2018.
ADOPTED this Ll day of ..r 2018.
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W HA
ATTESTS �. a�' �, ' f W H
Da na-Srow n2 Davis, Clerk of the Council
APPROVED F .
w a�t y Prosecutor
Page 2
C M COY TY COUNCIL
C M COU TY, WASHINGTON
Browne), Council Chair