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Fulton County approves $1.6M to buy water meters, OKs phased AMI rollout after debate
Summary
After questions about cost, maps and procurement options, the board approved up to $1.6 million to buy meters and collectors to begin a phased advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) rollout, and directed staff to return with maps and a fuller presentation within two weeks.
Fulton County commissioners on June 3 approved an additional spending authority not to exceed $1,600,000 to buy water meters and collectors to support a phased roll‑out of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).
Public works staff told the board the full AMI program required roughly $4 million of capital and that a ‘meter-as-a-service’ model created termination fees in the tens of millions, making the county’s preferred approach a phased, pay‑as‑you‑go conversion. "We're going to convert fully the Zone 7 commercial area to AMI meters," a county public works speaker said, describing a plan to purchase AMI-compatible meters and two collectors to allow remote reads.
Commissioners pressed for more detail before voting. Commissioner Bridget Thorne asked for a map of the neighborhoods and phasing because she said constituents in her district continue to report high or estimated bills and read errors. County staff said they have identified where the two collectors will be installed and can provide maps.
There was debate about whether to hold the item for two weeks to allow a fuller briefing, and one commissioner proposed substituting a motion to approve now with a required staff presentation within two weeks. Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. and others asked for the procurement and total contract amounts to be explained. County staff said the recommended purchase is necessary to start ordering meters and that delaying approval would prevent meters from being ordered and received before the next meeting.
The board voted to approve the requested spending authority and directed staff to return with a full presentation, including maps showing phased areas and budget detail, within two weeks. Staff said the initial purchase will allow reading of about 10,500 meters (6,500 smart meters plus ~4,000 commercial meters) as a phase 1 of AMI implementation.
Why it matters: Commissioners framed the vote as a balance between accelerating replacement of malfunctioning or manually read meters to improve billing accuracy and being fiscally prudent about long-term tech lock-ins. The board sought stronger neighborhood-level communication to mitigate customer confusion and to explain phasing and expected benefits.
Next steps: Public works will provide maps and a detailed presentation at the next meeting and begin procurement and ordering as allowed by the newly approved spending authority.
