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Council debates state ARPA water-meter grant and irrigation-rate implications
Summary
City leaders discussed a state ARPA water-meter grant, a possible NRCS match or exemption, battery-life concerns for meters and an estimated $1.6 million meter cost; staff warned the state would reimburse about 70% and that timing of funds could affect the project and rates.
Councilmembers and staff discussed whether to pursue or seek an exemption from a state ARPA program for water-meter installation and the downstream effects on irrigation rates.
The chair raised concerns about installing meters now if the battery life would require rework later, noting that "the state will only reimburse 70% of whatever you spend." The chair described an estimate for the meters as "like just the meters alone was like 1,600,000.0," and councilmembers debated whether the city should qualify for an NRCS exception to avoid installing meters in residents—backyards.
Staff said the state is pressing recipients to spend ARPA money and that the city might either use the funding before a deadline or return it. The staff member noted the city could qualify for an exemption because the system already tracks meters that come into the city and the customer count is below the threshold staff cited.
Councilmembers asked about the cost-effectiveness of using the grant if meter installation later required relocation to the street and replacement of batteries. Staff said they were evaluating the grant timing, the NRCS match, and alternatives to raising irrigation rates too far in the near term.
No formal decision was made; staff were directed to investigate exemptions, timing and long-term equipment costs before the council takes further action.
