Politics
Culver City Council Passes Residential Utility Relief Ordinance to Adjust Household Energy Bills
Qualifying Culver City households can apply for tiered discounts on water and electricity charges beginning in September under the new city ordinance.
How we reported this
The Culver City City Council approved the Residential Utility Relief Ordinance during its July 8 meeting. The measure creates income-based discounts on monthly water and electricity bills issued by the Culver City Water and Power Department. Residents with household incomes below 120 percent of the area median will receive the largest reductions.
City budget documents released last month showed that average residential utility charges rose 9 percent between 2024 and 2025. The ordinance responds to those increases by shifting a portion of fixed costs away from lower-usage accounts. Policy analysts note the change aligns with similar adjustments already in place in neighboring Los Angeles County jurisdictions.
For a two-person household earning $72,000 annually, the discount is expected to lower the combined water and power bill by $22 per month once the program begins. A family of four earning $95,000 would see an estimated $14 reduction. These calculations come directly from rate tables attached to the ordinance.
Program Funding and Eligibility Details
The city has allocated $2.4 million from its utility reserve fund for the first year of the program. Eligibility requires submission of the prior year tax return or proof of income through the Culver City Housing Division. Applications will be accepted starting August 1 at the city’s website and at the Culver City City Hall finance counter.
Next Steps for Residents and City Staff
City staff will mail notices to all residential accounts by July 20. The Culver City Water and Power Department projects that 4,800 households will qualify in the first enrollment period. Updated bills reflecting the discounts are scheduled to arrive with the September statement cycle.