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Silverton committee advances meter pilot and directs staff to build tiered rate plan
Summary
The committee reviewed a water‑meter pilot, preliminary unit costs and the need to design a new tiered rate structure this winter; staff will return with three‑year revenue and expense projections before broad installation next spring.
The Silverton Utility Committee on Sept. 10 advanced a phased plan to install new water meters, pilot a cellular reading platform and develop a tiered billing structure to replace the town’s unsustainable base of 10,000 gallons.
John Zarcus, a town staff member, showed a physical meter and the associated cellular reading device and said he would install a test unit at his residence so the committee could view the vendor’s platform. Staff provided preliminary per‑unit figures (meter ~$149, reading device ~$300) and a system package through AquaHawk/Kobe; they estimated roughly $125,000 would cover the initial deployment: $25,000 for meter yolks/sets and $100,000 for meters.
Committee members emphasized that the town must design new tiered base charges and usage blocks before mass installation to avoid unintended rate shock. Jim, a committee member, and others warned that some users who already have working meters have paid more under previous structures and may be upset by changes. Staff said meters will allow the town to bill more accurately, incentivize conservation and improve fund sustainability, and that installations should prioritize high‑use commercial accounts and indoor installs where feasible.
Staff will return this winter with proposed tier structures and three‑year revenue and expense projections; the committee anticipates beginning installations in spring (May) when conditions permit and after trustees approve the tier plan. The committee also asked staff to investigate incentive or voluntary buy‑in options so property owners who wish to pay for their own meters might receive relief in future billing, but that consideration must wait until the new rate structure is defined.
