Low-income households will get help with water bills

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – In its final meeting of 2021, the Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed to enter the federal government’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, administered by the non-profit 9^TH District Opportunity.

Georgia received $37.1 million in American Rescue Plan funding to operate the program to assist low-income families to pay for raw and finished water. Applicants must submit their applications to the 9^th District Opportunity Office in Gainesville which will determine eligibility, the amount the household will receive ($200 or $300) based on income and notify the applicant.

Funds will be sent directly to the County’s Water and Sewer Department which is responsible for providing the Department of Family and Children’s Services with documentation regarding how the funds were applied.

Chairwoman Cindy Jones-Mills noted that some families get their water from private companies and questioned how those companies would be made aware of the program. It’s a good idea if Communications (Department) can get the word out,” she said.

Commissioner Todd Levent, wary of the strings that come attached to federal government assistance, questioned County Attorney Ken Jarrard’

“This is one of those agreements where there was no negotiations,” Jarrard explained. “This was simply provided to us. We have reviewed it. There was no editing. You either take it or leave it.” He added, however, “I didn’t see the usual list of all the things we are agreeing to as part of this. So it doesn’t cause as much concern as when we did some of the other funding.”