Council holds required public hearing and approves water revenue loan for meter replacement; contract awarded to Metering Technology Solutions

Decorah — The City Council held the public hearing required before entering a revenue loan and disbursement agreement with the state revolving loan fund and approved staff’s request to borrow $1,500,000 for a citywide water-meter replacement project.

City staff told the council the city budgeted to borrow $1,500,000 for the water meter replacement and cited the current 20-year loan rate of 3.09 percent on the state's revolving loan fund. Staff reported no written comments had been received prior to the hearing. The packet noted the city awarded the installation contract — for just over $1.5 million — to Metering Technology Solutions.

Why it matters: The project will replace water meters across the city; the loan will be a 20-year financing instrument at the noted interest rate and enables the city to proceed with contract execution and meter installation.

Outcome: Following the public hearing, council voted to proceed with the revenue loan disbursement agreement and to proceed with the contract award. The council roll call recorded aye votes with no objections.

Discussion vs. decision: Staff presented background on the loan and procurement; no members of the public spoke in opposition at the hearing. The council voted to authorize the revenue loan agreement and to proceed with the contract award to Metering Technology Solutions.