The Burns City Council held a special meeting on May 6 to discuss two resolutions related to economic hardships brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council first addressed Resolution No.20-682, a resolution authorizing a temporary utility account credit program to support purchases from local businesses.

According to the resolution, the program was to begin on May 7 and end June 30. Subject to the provisions of the resolution, a customer may request a dollar-for-dollar credit, not to exceed $30 per month, against the customer’s monthly city water and/or sewer utility charges for purchases from businesses made during the term. The term “business(es)” means any business having a physical location in the city’s incorporated limits, including restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, and/or service industries or establishments.

A credit not to exceed $30 will be applied against a customer’s May 2020 city utility bill if the customer submits a receipt to the city on or before May 31 of the customer’s purchase from any business during the period of May 7 to May 31. A credit not to exceed $30 will also be applied against a customer’s June 2020 city utility bill if the customer submits a receipt to the city on or before June 30 of the customer’s purchases from June 1 to June 30. A customer may submit multiple receipts to receive a credit. It was suggested that receipts for tobacco and alcohol not be accepted.

The person requesting a credit must be a customer with an active city utility account, and must not be delinquent in any payment owed to the city for water and/or sewer service.

After discussion, the motion to approve the resolution passed by a unanimous vote.

The council then reviewed resolution No. 20-683, a resolution adopting an economic development loan and grant program for purposes of encouraging economic development in Burns.

Subject to the provisions of the resolution, an applicant satisfying all program requirements may, at the city’s discretion, receive a grant not to exceed $500 per fiscal year and/or a loan in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per fiscal year.

The city manager is designated as the program administrator, and available program funds will be determined each fiscal year by resolution of the city council.

By consensus, the council agreed to remove one section of the resolution, and it was unanimously approved by the council.

Copies of the entire resolutions are available at Burns City Hall.