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Commission hears utility billing update, introduces relief resolution and discusses AMI meter project
Summary
Commissioners heard an update on persistent utility-billing errors, were presented a draft resolution (2025-33) to waive late fees for affected customers, and discussed an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) contract and meter replacements and integration with the city’s Tyler billing system.
City staff briefed the Tucumcari City Commission on ongoing utility-billing issues and on plans for an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project intended to replace aging meters and modernize reads.
Staff described a draft Resolution 2025-33, requested by county partners according to the manager’s remarks, that would provide relief to utility customers affected by billing errors by suspending late fees so long as customers maintain contact with the city. The resolution text and a formal vote were not recorded in the audible excerpt; staff presented it for commission consideration.
Separately, staff and utility personnel described the AMI contract and how it would be implemented. Presenters said the proposed vendor would own and maintain meters, provide ongoing software updates, and replace meters when they reach end of life. The contract reportedly includes a monthly fee and an option to buy meters outright. Staff said the vendor would be responsible for meter upkeep and immediate fixes if a meter fails; the city would not pay for nonworking meters during periods when they do not produce reads. The new system was described as using a collector that pushes reads to the billing system and will integrate with the city’s Tyler software for billing.
Utility staff said approximately 48 meters are currently dead or running backward; those meters are slated for replacement and an initial demonstration integration into Tyler so the city can confirm reads before full rollout. Staff described an onboarding and support package for account setup, training, integration testing and ongoing support during the build cycle.
Commissioners and staff discussed operational details including local support availability, plans for remote reads (drive-by to phone reads as backup), staffing impacts and that the new system should shorten the billing cycle and speed processing of accurate reads. Staff said they are approximately "90% there" in reconciling accounts and that the AMI work should reduce delays caused by manual reads.
No final contract approval vote was recorded in the excerpt; Resolution 2025-33 was presented for consideration but the transcript does not capture adoption. The commission later moved to other business and into executive session.
