By: Tim Kays
At their March 2 meeting, members of the Bryan Board of Public Affairs (BPA) unanimously adopted Resolution #12-2021, extending temporary modifications to the Bryan Good Neighbors Utility Fund through April 30, 2021.
“By Resolution #26 in 2020,” said Director of Utilities Nathan Gardner, “…on July 7, the Board authorized temporary modifications to the program guidelines in the Bryan Good Neighbors Utility Fund, to assist Bryan families affected by impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Since that time, the Board has voted twice to extend the temporary provisions, which are set to expire by the end of this month, March 31.”
“After consulting with NOCAC (Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission), we have learned that the winter crisis HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) Program is scheduled to end on March 31.”
“Since inception, the BPA created the Good Neighbors Utility Fund, we have seen funds typically being utilized more in April is for the month, primarily due to the winter HEAP program ending in March, and higher winter energy bills coming.”
“We just had two and a half weeks of temperatures that failed to even get above freezing, so we expect similar results in the coming months for these reasons.”
“Due to the exceptional generosity of the Bryan donors over the last six months,” Gardner continued, “…we respectfully request the Board to grant an additional extension to the Good Neighbors Fund program until and through April 30, so basically another month.”
“And just as a reminder, what this does is it increased the eligibility income of 200% of the current federal poverty guidelines, and increased the maximum annual assistance to $500 per household per year.”
“It also added BMU communication services, from the assistance of support of critical emergency services, long distance clinical TeleHealth Public Health Information Administration, as well as people working and distance learning from home.”
“So for those reasons, and also our current ending balance is like $11,668.91, we’d like to stretch it out that one more month and give these people the opportunity to take advantage of it. Like I said, typically April is one of the bigger (months) that we get hit the hardest, so we would like to help those people and extended one more month.”
In other actions, the Board moved to approve Resolution #10-2021, authorizing the transfer of $290,000 from the Water Fund to the Water Capital Reserve Fund.
The transfer will keep the Water Fund balance above the previously established minimum fund balance of $1,480,000, and will allow the BPA to commence their water projects for the year.
The Board also approved Resolution #11-2021, authorizing the transfer of $53,510 from the Communications Fund to the Communications Capital Reserve Fund, allowing for the capital improvement projects for the Communication Department.
In personnel matters, the Board agreed to promote Britton Poynter from probationary Engineering Assistant II status to that of regular employment.
Tim can be reached at tim@thevillagereporter.com