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Commission approves outside‑city water hookups; staff to report on prior metering losses as smart‑meter rollout continues
Summary
The commission approved a water-and-sewer agreement for First Baptist Church and outside-city water service to Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School, and heard administration updates on widespread meter replacements and efforts to address prior unbilled use.
The Cooper City Commission approved two utility actions and asked staff for a follow-up report addressing earlier metering and billing problems tied to a large account as the city moves to replace older meters with smart meters.
Why it matters: The agreements admit new customers (and fee revenue) and highlight past revenue losses tied to faulty meters; the city's meter-replacement program is intended to reduce billing gaps going forward.
What the commission approved The commission adopted a resolution authorizing a water-and-sewer developers agreement with the First Baptist Church of Southwest Broward for 8 water and 8 sewer ERCs at a total cost of $30,525.36.
The commission also approved a resolution authorizing one water ERC and service outside the city limits to Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School for $1,798.52. Commissioners amended the item on the dais to add a whereas clause referencing an ordinance the commission adopted last year clarifying conditions under which the city may serve parcels outside its boundaries.
Meter failures and follow-up Commissioners discussed a prior situation in which a large outside‑city account had not been billed correctly because of a dysfunctional meter. City Manager Ray reported the city is replacing meters with smart meters to provide immediate alerts when a meter stops working; he said thousands of meters are not currently reporting and that replacements will continue. The manager told the commission some older meters lack prior readings and cannot be backfilled; staff will bring a report on whether and how the city can recoup missed revenue.
Commission direction Commissioners voted to approve both resolutions and asked Finance and Utilities staff to prepare an item updating the commission on prior billing losses and the smart‑meter replacement timeline.
Ending Staff indicated they will bring a billing/metering status report at a future meeting and proceed to record and collect the ERC fees for the newly authorized hookups.
