The Hobbs City Commission approved award of Bid No. 1613-25 to Professional Meters Inc. for the annual water‑meter changeout project, a capital program intended to replace nearly 5,373 aging residential meters with smart, cellular-enabled devices.

Utilities Director Tim Woomer told commissioners the project covers approximately 5,373 meters that are 20 years old or older and represents one of the final phases of the city’s meter-replacement program. The bid total is $503,388.80, funded from the utility enterprise capital fund (Fund 61, project 91).

Why it matters: Smart meters provide consistent monthly reads, faster leak detection and customer access to usage data via a phone or web app. Woomer said the change will improve billing consistency and allow the utility to notify customers quickly about abnormal spikes that often indicate leaks.

Key details:
- Scope and vendor: Base bid covers replacing ~5,373 service meters (4,021 5/8‑inch meters and 1,252 1‑inch meters) with 3/4‑inch/5/8‑inch Metron smart meters; Professional Meters Inc. of Morris, Illinois submitted the sole qualified bid and was recommended for award.
- Budget and funding: Project entirely funded from the enterprise capital fund (no general-tax dollars); bid amount $503,388.80.
- Alternate bid work: A bid alternate to identify pipe material and size on both city and customer laterals was not recommended for award because of budget constraints; staff will evaluate alternative approaches.

Commission discussion focused on customer outreach and practical impacts. Woomer said crews will contact customers before replacement, provide printed cards and on-site help where needed, and that meters will be read on the same date each month after installation, improving billing regularity.

Action taken: The commission voted to accept the bid and authorize the contract award; staff will coordinate scheduling with the contractor and notify customers prior to work in each neighborhood.

Ending: Woomer said once the current phase is complete, the majority of residential meters in Hobbs will be smart meters and customers will be able to track usage and receive leak alerts through the utility’s app.