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lL_iU*T ►v 11 TO: Board of County Commissioners THROUGH: Robin Miller, Housing Program Manager FROM: William K. DeBraal, Deputy County Attorney DATE: September 17, 2020 SUBJECT: Approval of Resolution Establishing Utility Rates for Housing Choice Voucher Program Indian River County Code provides for the Deputy County Attorney to be the Fair Housing Coordinator for the County. Among the County's housing programs is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, (HCV) formerly known as Section 8 Housing. Federal regulations require the Board to approve by resolution the utility rates on an annual basis. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federally funded program administered by the County Housing and Rental Assistance Department (Rental Assistance). The HCV Program is designed to benefit all participants. Private providers that own multi or single family homes apply to Rental Assistance for participation. The units are inspected and approved for the HCV Program. Upon approval, private owners qualify for tax incentives that make participation in the Program profitable. The County owns no HCV Program housing. The County benefits from the Voucher Program by receiving a $70.00 processing fee from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The County's Comprehensive Plan objective of providing housing to low and very low income citizens is met by Voucher Program participation. The Board must approve the rates for water, sewer, gas, electric, and propane in our area on an annual basis. This year, Rental Assistance retained The Nelrod Company to conduct a local rate study for these utilities. Staff reviewed and approved the Nelrod rate study report and has included the results on a spread sheet attached to the resolution. Those rates must be approved by the County as it is a participant in the HCV Program. The resolution approving annual utility rates for Fiscal Year 2021, effective October 1, 2020, is attached for the Board's consideration. 96