Council reviews meter‑replacement options and public‑works facility upgrades; staff proposes hiring to save contractor costs

Kirksville utilities and public works staff told the City Council they are weighing two ways to replace the city's aging automated water meters: hire staff to perform installations in‑house or pay an outside contractor to do the work.

The replacement effort is large: staff said the city has roughly 7,000–8,000 residential meters located inside structures. A vendor estimate that included installation ran roughly $1.1 million to $1.2 million. Utilities and public‑works staff told the council an internal option — hiring about six entry‑level utility maintenance workers organized into three two‑person crews for the meter installation program — could cost about $500,000 in first‑year personnel and associated equipment. The staff option would also…