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Board briefed on near-term decision for automated metering project; financing and recurring fees remain open questions
Summary
Power Board heard an update on a planned $2 million Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project with two finalists under consideration; staff said the project will likely proceed if financing terms and annual recurring fees are acceptable and that deployment will be phased over several years.
Hurricane City Power Board received an update on a planned automated metering infrastructure (AMI) rollout that staff said is the closest the city has come to a decision.
Staff told the board they had narrowed proposals to two vendors—Eaton and Clara (vendor trade names discussed in meeting)—and that the total project cost is roughly $2 million. The primary difference between proposals, staff said, is the recurring annual fees charged by the vendors. Staff and the utility department plan to hold further technical and financing discussions with the chosen vendor next week and aim to decide in the coming week so purchase orders can be issued.
Board members were briefed on deployment timing: the first purchase order to first meter deployments typically requires about six months; full roll-out across the existing system is expected to take two to three years depending on phasing decisions. Staff said new-home meters and new building permits will be billed for their own meter installations; the principal challenge is how to phase replacements for existing customers (by substation, by subdivision, or by feeder route).
Staff also noted implementation implications: the new system’s software would enable time-of-use rates, outage alerts, tamper detection and more granular voltage and load data, and that the chosen system’s compatibility with existing meter models could reduce training and installation complexity. The board asked staff to include projected annual vendor fees and a financing plan in the next presentation so the expense can be reflected accurately in the utility budget.
Ending: Staff expects to present a vendor recommendation and financing options at the next Power Board meeting; procurement and phased deployment will follow consultant and internal budgeting decisions.
