Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Ami topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Batesburg-Leesville council approves AMI contractor after heated debate over $4 million cost
Summary
The Batesburg-Leesville Town Council approved a contract for an automated metering infrastructure (AMI) system while separating the financing decision after robust debate over project cost, customer bill impacts and guarantees on battery life; a first reading to authorize financing passed and council expects detailed terms before second reading.
The Batesburg-Leesville Town Council on a motion approved a contractor to install an townwide automated metering infrastructure (AMI) system after members removed financing language from the motion and agreed to address borrowing separately.
Councilman Montgomery moved to approve the contractor; the motion was amended to remove financing and then carried by roll call. During a lengthy discussion Councilman Hall warned the contract would lead the town into roughly $4 million of debt and said "most people are going to pay more for their water and they're not getting any better water," urging the council to prioritize pipe repairs instead. Mr. Hendricks, speaking for administration, said the $2.79 million contract figure in the packet reflected a small software coordination adjustment and that financing proposals were being sought by the town's bond counsel.
Vendor and technical staff told council the proposed Census AMI product is set to read meters four times per day and that the manufacturer guarantees a 15-year battery life; a vendor representative said "if it fails within the 15-year period, the entire meter will be replaced at the manufacturer's cost. No cost to the town." Staff argued AMI both replaces aging meters and captures previously unbilled usage, generating additional revenue that can be reinvested in infrastructure.
Critics pressed for clearer contract specifications and for assurances regarding how projected net gains would be used. One councilor asked whether any contract language would require using surplus revenue to accelerate debt repayment or to fund pipe replacement; staff said those financing details would be addressed with bond counsel and presented at second reading.
On procedure, council removed the financing element from the contractor motion so the body could vote only on vendor selection; council then held a separate first reading to authorize financing for the project and approved that procedural step, with staff saying formal bids and final loan terms should be available before the second reading in January.
The council's action allows the AMI vendor to proceed while councilors and staff continue to negotiate financing terms and finalize contract specifications, including reading frequency and warranty provisions. The town's next steps include receiving financing bids from banks and presenting financing terms at the second reading and public hearing expected in January.
