Star Valley Ranch approves $497,264.98 residential water meter replacement after resident alleges billing errors

The Star Valley Ranch Town Council unanimously approved, with one abstention, a $497,264.98 contract with Core & Main to replace residential water meters, council members said at the Dec. 9 meeting.

Councilman Ellis presented the motion to accept the bid and to authorize Mayor Rok to sign the necessary documents; Councilman Toolson seconded. Mayor Rok, Councilmen Toolson, Bitter and Ellis voted aye; Councilman Merrill abstained.

The vote came after public comment from resident Leon Smith of 41 Birch Drive, who said a town employee had suggested he had a water leak but his own inspection found none. Smith said the town had told him in June that meters had exceeded a nine-year useful life and that most were installed around 2012. He estimated "approximately $350" in overcharges to his account since June 2024 and said he paid a contractor more than $3,600 to repair what he believed was a leak. "I am in the process of putting together a claim for these amounts and will be submitting it to the mayor's office and town council in the near future. My monetary losses are significant, and I expect them to be made whole," Smith said.

Mayor Rok acknowledged Smith's comments and told him the town is working to replace residential water meters; she asked him to continue coordinating with Town Administrator Aitken on his billing situation.

The council described the replacement as part of the town's FY2025-26 budgeted capital work. The motion instructs the mayor to execute documents necessary to proceed with the contract award to Core & Main.

Next steps include contract execution and planned replacement work under the fiscal-year authorization; the council did not set a specific start date at the meeting.