Independence delays AMI rollout to hire program manager, sets Feb. RFP target

Independence utility staff told the Public Utility Advisory Board on Jan. 16 that the city will pause direct procurement of automated metering hardware and instead issue a request for proposals for a program manager to lead an automated metering infrastructure (AMI) program.

Board members and staff said the program manager would help develop the project business case, coordinate procurement for hardware and installation, and lead public outreach. "This group and even the public need to understand that AMI is not simply going to your house and replacing your meter," a staff member said. "There’s meters, communications, networks, software and hardware — it’s a whole program, not just a new meter." (Remarks during agenda item: AMI update.)

Why it matters: AMI can change how the utility reads meters and offers rate options such as time-of-use pricing. Board members said those changes raise public concerns about health, privacy and billing. Several members urged that the city plan an explicit public-communications campaign and consider an opt-out option for customers who do not want the new meters.

What staff proposed: City staff said their near-term objective is to post an RFP for program management in February 2025. The program manager would, staff said, help write later RFPs for hardware and installation, and run outreach and performance management through the implementation lifecycle. "We’re going to take a step back and actually write an RFP and hire probably a program manager to help us through it," the staff member said.

Board concerns and requests: Board members pressed for transparency and early public engagement. One member recalled the last AMI effort drew several thousand petition signatures and said residents felt the process had been handled poorly. "I want us to be very careful with how we do this," a board member said, adding that an upfront communications plan and an explicit option to opt out could reduce public opposition. Staff responded that public relations and outreach would be part of the program manager’s scope.

Opt-out and procurement: Board members asked whether an opt-out option would be feasible and whether vendors can support it. Staff said an opt-out is a policy decision separate from the technical procurement, and that offering an opt-out does not create an insurmountable technical barrier but may increase program costs. "That’s an operational decision, not a technical prohibition," a staff member said.

Timing and next steps: Staff described the February RFP as the first step; the full procurement and installation timeline will be defined by the program manager. Staff told the board that time-of-use rates and other rate-design options are several years downstream and would require separate policy decisions. "Time-of-use is so far down the road — we’re 3 to 5 years from having AMI," a staff member said.

Ending note: Board members emphasized they want transparent scheduling and ample opportunity for public comment as the city moves from RFP to procurement and implementation.