A resolution approved at the March 1 council meeting allows City Manager Dan Johnson to implement a $15 drip credit on all water bills, one free week of dumpster rentals for residents and businesses, and the waiver of plumbing and building permits for storm-related repairs.
At the peak of power outages Feb. 17, nearly 17,500 Richardson residents were without electricity, Deputy City Manager Don Magner said during a Feb. 22 council briefing. In the days that followed, residents and business owners dealt with property damage caused by flooding from burst pipes. Approval of these relief programs is just the start of the city’s long-term, “pragmatic approach” to storm recovery, Mayor Paul Voelker said.
“For those that have had substantial damage, for people who may have businesses that will miss revenue because of this, or people who couldn’t get their COVID[-19] shot ... this had a very broad impact,” Voelker said. “This council is committed to helping our friends in Austin figure out what went wrong, and what we need to do collectively and with industry to solve this problem.”
Approval of these relief avenues will cost the city approximately $490,000, Magner said. More information on assistance for affected residents and business owners is available on the city’s website.
