Wellington work session reviews utility billing guidelines, outlines AMI smart‑meter rollout

Wellington Town staff reviewed an internal utility billing guidelines document and described plans to roll out an automated metering infrastructure (AMI) at a Feb. 24 Finance Committee advisory work session.

The guidelines are intended as an internal procedures document to complement Wellington Municipal Code Chapter 13; staff noted the packet language is drawn directly from the code and is not intended to supersede ordinances or resolutions. Committee participants discussed meter‑reading practices, delinquency and restoration fees, customer‑service exceptions, and the town’s budgeted plan to replace remaining mechanical meters with smart meters and supporting radio‑frequency infrastructure.

Why it matters: the AMI rollout would give staff more actionable meter data, speed identification of leaks and large‑use events, and provide residents a public portal to view near‑real‑time usage. Staff said the full AMI and software integration is a costly project (roughly seven figures); the town applied for a Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grant that could offset several hundred thousand dollars. Committee members and staff discussed timelines, customer notifications, and adjustments for residents with hardship.

The…