Public works committee approves small budget increase to buy residential water meters

The Public Works Committee voted unanimously to exceed the water utility’s established budget limit so staff can buy additional residential water meters.

Committee members approved the request, clearing a $9,725 increase to the utility’s meter purchasing budget to buy about 25 three-quarter-inch residential meters to keep in stock for testing and repairs.

The change matters because staff said the utility saw a recent uptick in customers contesting sewer and water bills, which has required the department to remove and send meters to the manufacturer for testing. "Ninety-nine percent of the time, the meters are accurate," a water utility staff member told the committee, adding that the disputed meters are swapped and sent to the manufacturer for verification.

Committee discussion focused on the cause and cost of the work. The utility explained the larger-sized commercial meters used this year consumed most of the planned meter budget, leaving fewer residential meters on hand for repairs and testing. Committee members asked how many customer requests had come in; staff said the number had risen to "in the 5 to 10 range," compared with a historical norm of 0 to 1 per quarter.

Committee members also asked where the additional funds would come from. Finance Director Tim said the water utility is under budget overall for the year and the purchase would be funded within the water utility accounts; no transfer from the general fund was needed.

The committee moved and seconded the action and voted "Aye"; the vote was recorded as unanimous.

The department said the ordered meters will be kept in inventory to support potential additional testing and in-field repairs over the course of the year.