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Board approves Neptune meter purchase as prices climb; staff to update service fees and rules
Summary
Commissioners approved a sole-source Neptune meter quote despite steep price increases for many meter sizes. Staff said large meters rose as much as 40% and that they will propose changes to service fees and the rules and regulations to reflect higher meter and labor costs.
The Board of Water Commissioners voted April 24 to accept a 2025 water meter quote from the utility’s sole-source supplier, Neptune, even as staff told commissioners that meter prices rose sharply this year — in some instances by about 40% for larger meters.
Distribution and meter staff explained that many large meters are purchased by customers or developers as part of new service connections, while smaller replacement meters are bought by the utility to replace nonrepairable units. Staff said part of the price increase is due to higher material and labor costs, tariffs and supply uncertainty.
A commissioner asked whether the utility could switch suppliers. Staff replied Neptune (and its reseller) is effectively sole source for the installed meter types, that replacement parts and parts inventories justify continuity, and that the utility had already stocked some meters at prior-year prices.
Staff said they will bring updated rules and regulations to a committee meeting to adjust the metering phase and to update service fees (the utility’s usual cost-plus approach was discussed). Staff also noted they will review metering charges that are passed to customers when a contractor purchases a meter for a new installation.
The board approved the meter quote by motion; staff said most meters the utility buys are later resold to contractors or developers, and that routine testing returns many meters to service.
