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Council hears plan to install remote-readable water meters for 1,000 customers
Summary
Council received a first reading on ordinance 49-26 to fund a meter upgrade project (Project 395) that would install radio-read meters across the city—$650,000 from the water fund and $650,000 from the sewer fund—with phased technology to improve leak detection and reduce labor costs; installation is planned to begin in August if approved.
Member Isherwood presented ordinance 49-26, a funding authorization to purchase and install remote-readable water meters for more than 500 residences, with $650,000 requested from the water fund and $650,000 from the sewer fund.
Director Andy Stone explained the phased roll-out: initial replacement of touch/manual-read meters with radio-read devices that can be read by a drive-by reader, and a later phase to place fixed collection points (on towers, reservoirs and lift stations) tied into the city's fiber and telemetry systems to continuously collect readings without drive-by collection. Stone said benefits include earlier leak detection, faster response and long-term labor savings; he noted one meter-reader was retiring and the city does not intend to replace that position.
Council asked whether fast-tracking would help; Stone replied installation is planned to start in August and recommended passage prior to the summer recess to allow time for procurement and delivery but did not recommend an accelerated month-long fast-track.
No vote was taken at first reading; council will consider the ordinance in subsequent proceedings.
