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Mount Pleasant tables $800,000 metering system purchase pending public hearing
Summary
Council members heard a technical briefing on a proposed automated metering infrastructure (AMI) replacement estimated at about $800,000, discussed financing and rate implications, and voted to table requisition 120620241019 until after a January public hearing and further financing details are provided.
Mount Pleasant City Council on Dec. 30 heard a technical briefing on a proposed automated metering infrastructure (AMI) replacement and agreed to postpone approval until after a public hearing in January.
Unidentified Speaker 7, who outlined the proposal from the power department, said the city’s existing PowerLine Express meters are becoming unavailable and the city has explored several options, including a power-line carrier two-way system (TWACS/Eclara) and RF systems. He said the city would seek a purchase order to lock current pricing and that the total metering project is “about $800,000 roughly.” He described benefits including outage detection, interval meter data and demand-response capability that could help locate failing transformers and speed restorations.
Council members pressed staff on financing. Unidentified Speaker 7 said the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) covers power purchases and should not be repurposed for capital purchases, and he discussed alternatives: an interfund loan, paying from capital-project funds, or borrowing through a municipal loan. He also said a vendor indicated willingness to accept a temporary or “dummy” purchase order to hold the current price through January or February.
Larson and Company auditor Unidentified Speaker 12 advised transparency and recommended a public hearing before any final borrowing or rate action, saying the expenditure and any resulting rate changes are budget matters that should be presented publicly. The council generally concurred that a public hearing is the prudent next step.
Unidentified Speaker 6 moved to table requisition 120620241019 (the metering system purchase) and Unidentified Speaker 8 seconded. The motion to postpone was approved. Staff said they will schedule a public hearing in January and return to the council with final financing terms, interest-rate information and any required public-notice steps.
Next steps: schedule and hold a public hearing in January, obtain final loan/interest figures from the prospective lender, and return to the council for a final decision following public input and completed financing terms.
