Category: Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2020

Tacoma Public Utilities Expands Relief for Customers
Additional assistance funding and options support our community during the State of Emergency

TACOMA, Wash. –Tacoma’s Public Utility Board and City Council approved additional funding for Tacoma Public Utilities’ Emergency Assistance Program, a relief program established on March 17 in response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Since the program launched with $1 million in funding, nearly 10,000 Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) residential customers have applied for the funds, prompting the decision to increase the total funding provided to $2.4 million.

“When we started this program, our goal was to help community members struggling with financial hardship during this emergency,” said Jackie Flowers, director of Tacoma Public Utilities. “In addition to quickly establishing the Emergency Assistance Program, we also extended payment plans, stopped disconnections, and can waive late fees.”

The Emergency Assistance Program provides a one-time utility credit for eligible single-family households whose incomes are within 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines. The amount of assistance is based on the number of services billed by TPU. Most of the funds for the program were previously budgeted for the utility’s existing Bill Credit Assistance Program; however, the eligibility guidelines have been expanded to support significantly more households during Tacoma’s state of emergency. Utility credits from the Emergency Assistance Fund are one time only per household, so customers who have already received a credit are not eligible for an additional credit.

In addition to the relief program, TPU is offering payment assistance and arrangements, extended payment plans, suspended disconnects, and waiver of late fees for residential and business customers.

Customers in need of assistance can apply for the utility credit online at MyTPU.org/EmergencyAssistanceor by calling 253-502-8600.

Business customers can qualify for extended payment plans and waived late fees and are covered under the Mayor’s suspension of disconnections. Resources for businesses can be found at MyTPU.org/COVID19Biz and at MakeItTacoma.com.
TPU customers who receive a paper bill and want to donate to help those in need can check the box on their statement and include a donation with their payment.

At the conclusion of Tacoma’s State of Emergency, the Emergency Assistance Program will continue while there are funds available and customers who need the program.

For more about TPU’s’ COVID-19 response, visit: MyTPU.org/COVID19.

Contact:
Rebekah Anderson, 253-348-1745

Please see below for Metro Parks information from our furloughed Liaison Craig Standridge:

Hello, this is Craig Standridge from Metro Parks Tacoma. I am writing to let you know that I am being furloughed for 10 weeks, until June 30th, so for the short-term will not be able to represent Metro Parks at SENCO meetings. The temporary representative will be Karen Povey, Conservation Engagement Manager, she can be reached at karen.povey@pdza.org.  Thank you, and I hope to see you soon!!

Here is the press release regarding our recent furlough:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2020

Economic impacts of COVID-19 prompts furlough notices to many full-time staff

Metro Parks Tacoma issued furlough notices to 85 staff members on Tuesday due to the effects of the extended shutdown of sites and programs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Park District projects losing as much as $13 million over six months in fees and sales and property taxes. Even after the Governor eventually lifts the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order as well as other restrictions on social gathering, the financial impact of this crisis will have a lasting impact on Metro Parks operations well into the summer and beyond.

“It is heartbreaking to furlough staff whose unwavering passion helps our agency operate at the highest levels,” Executive Director Shon Sylvia shared in response to the difficult decision. “After extensive research into state and federal assistance, this furlough plan is designed to preserve income and benefits while allowing us to keep enough staff on hand to manage essential functions during the closures. We will get through this, and our talented staff will return to do great work for the community.”

Besides notifying the 85 non-union staff members on Tuesday, the Park District also initiated collective bargaining with IUOE Local 302 over a request to furlough 64 members of the union. If the union agrees, that would bring the total number of furloughed staff to 149.

The furloughs follow the April 1 layoff of approximately 520 part-time employees. Besides the furloughs and layoffs, Metro Parks also is addressing its budget shortfall by reducing non-essential utilities, tapping emergency funding from District reserves, leaving vacancies unfilled, deferring or reducing contracts for service, and reducing pay for executives and senior managers. These efforts combined are projected to save $7.5 million, just over half of the estimated revenue shortfall.

The furlough notices identify an anticipated return-to-work date of June 30. However, Metro Parks leaders hope to recall some employees to active service in batches before that date as they determine what levels of operations can be supported this summer.
“There are many uncertainties at this point, so we are not in a position yet to know the timing for re-opening facilities and restarting programs,” Executive Director Sylvia added. “That’s why we expect the duration of furloughs will vary, depending on circumstances.”

Metro Parks operates a vast network of destinations and experiences, including Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Meadow Park Golf Course, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, community centers, pools, spraygrounds, parks, hundreds of recreation programs, and more. District leaders are working with staff to continue to manage essential functions, including animal care, building systems, and basic park operations and maintenance.

Media Contact:
Nancy Johnson, Metro Parks Tacoma Communications, nancyj@tacomaparks.com,

(253) 226-4530