 Benton
Utilities Share Program
Neighbors helping Neighbors
“Neighbor, you’ve worked hard to get where you are…Here’s an opportunity
to give a little back to a neighbor genuinely in need.”
What is the Share Program?
Simply, it is Neighbors helping Neighbors right here in our community. The
Share Program is a voluntary program, our customers are asked to
participate in that has been put in place to help people having trouble
paying their utility bills. The goal is to assist Elderly, Handicapped and
families struggling to make ends meet due to escalating utility bills.
Why was the Share Program created?
The program was developed in response to the increasing high costs of
energy. Benton Utilities has approximately 13,000 customers and
approximately 300 of them are having trouble paying their utilities bills
every year. This program will help the customers stressed financially when
they qualify.
Will the Share Program only help with electricity bills?
Initially, it will only cover the electricity bills of deserving
customers. But the Share Program may be expanded if the Citizens Committee
determines there is enough money held in trust to justify participating in
other endeavors that will benefit the community. The Program may
eventually fund contributions to food banks or weatherproofing kits, for
example. The Citizens Committee will determine both whether the Share
Program should be expanded and what charitable works will be paid for by
some of the money held in the trust.
How can I contribute to this program?
Your monthly utility bill will be rounded up to the nearest dollar. For
example, a Benton Utilities customer’s bill is $59.50, it will be rounded
up to $60. The extra 50 cents will be put into a trust account to be
administered consistent with the Share Program. The trust account will be
used to cover utilities bills for people who meet guidelines developed by
a citizen’s committee and approved by the commission.
How much will contributing cost me annually?
According to research from the commission, the average Benton Utilities
customer contributing to the program will pay about $6 per year.
Do I have to contribute?
No, the program is completely voluntary and ratepayers not wanting to
participate in the program can elect to not contribute by either calling
the Benton Utilities office at 501-776-5923 or returning an “opt out” card
that will appear with their bill statements later this year.
Who determines which customers will benefit from the program?
A seven-member citizen’s committee will review applications and determine
which customers are qualified to receive assistance from the Share
Program.
How do I “Opt Out” of the Share Program?
If you do not want to participate in the program, you can elect to not
contribute by either calling the Benton Utilities office at 501-776-5923
or returning an “opt out” card that will appear with their bill statements
later this year.
When will the contribution start appearing on my bill?
Customers will have the opportunity to start contributing with their
November billing to build up the trust fund so it has enough money in it
to start helping applicants around March.
How do I apply to be on the citizen’s committee?
To apply to volunteer for the citizens committee, please fax a resume with
a letter indicating why you are qualified to serve on the committee to
(501)776-5954 or mail those items to Benton Utilities, 1827 Dale Street,
Benton, AR 72015. Benton Utilities officials hope that plenty of community
minded people volunteer to serve on this citizens committee and will do
their part to help with a new program tailored to improve the quality of
life in Benton.
How do I apply for assistance from the Share Program?
This portion of the program is still in the development stage and will not
be complete until after the 7-member citizen’s committee is in place. This
committee in cooperation with the Benton Utilities Commission will develop
guidelines in order to dispense the funds from the Share Program Trust
Fund.
How can I find out more about the program?
Check your electricity bills. As information about the program is
finalized, Benton Utilities customers will be kept up to date on the
developing program through bill stuffers in their regular utilities bills.
Also, information about the program will be posted regularly on this
website.
To download the Share Program information as a Microsoft Word document,
click on the link below.
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