Task force members and council discussed a multi‑year effort to complete mandatory water‑meter installations for city water customers and to use meters as the foundation for equitable water and sewer rates.
Officials at the July 21 meeting said about 1,100 of roughly 1,800 residential city water customers — about 58% — already have meters. Presenters said the long delay in completing installations (work began more than a decade ago) leaves the city unable to measure system water loss accurately or bill fairly.
The water and sewer task force discussed buying a first batch of 75–100 meters immediately using $50,000 identified in the current budget and then using savings or bond proceeds (if any from the water tower project) to buy more. Mayor Rick Uppercase and a task force member said Public Works Director Tom Bernier indicated staff could be redeployed to perform installations at lower cost than hiring an outside contractor.
Officials said mandatory meters apply to customers on the municipal water system; the remaining unmetered customers fall into several groups: those who asked for meters but were not installed, those who have not responded to access requests and those served by private wells or non‑city systems. Presenters said council is examining enforcement options, including penalties for noncompliance, but that those rules would be developed as staff completes a review of relevant ordinances.
Task force and council members said completing metering is a priority because it allows accurate measurement of water loss, fair user billing and a clearer basis for future rate decisions. The water and sewer task force said it will report back with a more detailed installation plan and funding options.