Germantown committee approves $23,300 overage to buy 60 residential water meters

The Germantown Public Works and Highway Committee on Nov. 5 approved a request to exceed the established budget limit by $23,300 to purchase roughly 60 residential water meters.

Staff told the committee the village was running short of meters because of new service starts and that the additional purchase was needed so new homes can connect to the utility without delay. "We're down to just a handful of these meters," staff said during the meeting, adding that the village can review how purchases affect 2026 procurement plans.

A motion to approve the over-budget purchase was made and seconded; the committee voted in favor. Committee members noted the recurring nature of the request and asked about the village's standard blanket purchase process, which staff said is used to stock meters at the start of each year but was insufficient to cover current demand.

The purchase was approved by voice vote.