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Spanish Fort resident asks council to adopt opt-out for smart utility meters
Summary
At the July Spanish Fort City Council meeting, resident Justina Brigette urged the city to create an opt-out policy for AMI "smart" meters, citing privacy, data collection and health concerns; city attorney said staff will investigate.
Justina Brigette, a Spanish Fort resident, told the City Council on July 21 that the city should adopt an opt-out policy for advanced metering infrastructure, commonly called smart meters, arguing the devices collect household usage data and that residents should be able to refuse installation.
Brigette said Riviera Utilities sent her a letter that she interpreted as requiring installation of a wireless AMI meter and that the utility would relocate a meter only at the customer’s expense. “These have been rolled out on houses without most people knowing what these are and what they do,” Brigette said. “Anytime that you hear the title ‘smart’ in relation to technologies, think data collection.”
She told the council she had brought sample ordinances from other localities and materials describing health and privacy concerns. Brigette said more than two dozen states and several municipalities have opt-out policies and mentioned reading fees “of around $12” in other jurisdictions; she also said Riviera Utilities is owned by the City of Foley and quoted a deadline in a Riviera letter of Oct. 31, 2025. Brigette handed the council packets of sample resolutions and correspondence she said were relevant.
City Attorney David Connor acknowledged receipt of Brigette’s materials and said the city attorney’s office was aware of the situation and would begin looking into it. “Our attorney is aware of the situation, and we will be hitting the ground tomorrow morning with it, trying to figure out some answers for you,” Connor said.
Mayor Ravner told Brigette the council appreciated the input and that staff would pursue the matter. No ordinance, resolution or formal vote accompanied the public comment.
The exchange amounted to discussion and a staff direction rather than a council decision: council members asked questions and the city attorney said he would investigate regulatory and local-authority options, including potential contact with Riviera Utilities or state officials. No timeline for a report back was set at the meeting.
Copies of the documents Brigette referenced were left with the council during public comment; the council did not take immediate legislative action on the matter at the July 21 meeting.
