Livingston approves new water‑meter contract, directs city to create opt‑out policy after health, privacy concerns

The Livingston City Commission voted to approve a purchase order for new automatic meter infrastructure (AMI) water meters and to direct the city manager to develop an opt‑out program after multiple residents raised health, privacy and billing concerns during public comment.

What the commission approved: The commission approved Purchase Order / Agreement 2172 with Ferguson Water Works for replacement water meters and supporting equipment. The motion that passed also directed staff to prepare an opt‑out program for customers who do not wish to participate in the new AMI system.

City staff briefing: City Manager Grant Gager and city staff provided technical background to the commission. Staff emphasized that the proposed meters use radio transmissions similar in kind to other consumer devices and summarized manufacturer and federal testing data: the meters’ transmissions are brief and intermittent — staff said normal operation would typically transmit to the base station about once every six hours, and full‑power “commissioning” mode may perform periodic, shorter‑interval transmissions (staff cited manufacturer test results and Federal Communications Commission maximum permissible exposure rules in explaining that typical exposures are far below levels the FCC regulates).

Public concern and testimony: Multiple residents and a local naturopathic physician urged caution or a delay. Dr. Karen Stenson said she has treated patients who report electrohypersensitivity and asked the commission to “take a precautionary approach” and review broader scientific literature before rolling out meters. Several residents described problems they attribute to smart meters in other jurisdictions including unexpected bills and health complaints.

Commission action and rationale: Commissioners said they heard and respected the health and billing concerns but also noted the city’s operational need to replace aging meter equipment and the manufacturer’s timeline for support. To balance those needs, the commission approved the purchase order and specifically instructed the city manager to return with an opt‑out framework and implementation steps. Commissioners discussed including an automatic replacement requirement on property transfer so opt‑outs would not leave the city with a long‑term mixed system.

Votes and next steps: The motion to approve the purchase order and to develop an opt‑out program passed in roll call. Staff said the meters already in service would be phased as older devices fail or as properties undergo other meter work; staff also said they would work with any resident who chooses to opt out and would return with details for an opt‑out fee, placement options, and the operational process.

What remains unresolved: Residents called for a more exhaustive scientific review and for explicit details on opt‑out costs, placement alternatives and how an opt‑out policy will affect billing and emergency reads. Staff said they will come back with a specific opt‑out policy for commission approval and with technical documentation that shows transmission intervals and safety testing data.