Milford council adopts ordinance making homeowners pay city cost for water meters

The Milford City Council voted unanimously March 4 to amend the city code to require property owners to pay the city’s cost for residential water meters and related equipment, with fees published in a schedule maintained by the city manager.

City Manager Gunderson told council the change is driven by rising costs for meters and “adders” — the extra components that make meters function — and recommended a pricing approach tied to actual cost. “We put language in there that allows for us to work off of what our true cost is, plus 10% for administrative costs associated with the paperwork,” Gunderson said.

The ordinance amends section 921.08 of the codified ordinances by adding a subsection that requires owners to pay the city’s purchase cost for the meter and necessary accessories “in accordance with the fee schedule established by the city manager.” Council also approved language allowing the fee schedule to be amended by title only.

Councilmembers cast roll-call votes after motions and seconds; the transcript records affirmative votes from Mayor Evans, Vice Mayor Parrish, Councilman Velardo, Councilman Price, Councilman Thompson, Councilwoman Cooper and Councilwoman Chamberlain. The ordinance passed on the floor and will take effect as provided in the city charter.

The city manager and staff said the fee schedule will be created and updated annually so council will not need to return each time component costs change. Gunderson emphasized the goal is to recover purchase costs and a modest administrative charge rather than subsidize ongoing meter procurement.

Council did not detail exact meter prices in the public meeting; Gunderson said component-level costs were provided in the meeting packet. The city did not specify the effective date of the amended subsection beyond the charter’s requirements.