Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $18,700 purchase of new meter receiver and rugged laptop
Summary
Water superintendent told the council the current meter-reading system reached end-of-life; council approved a purchase from Midwest Meters for a receiver antenna system and ruggedized laptop, totaling $18,700, to reduce meter‑reading time and improve reliability.
Water Superintendent Armstrong told the council the city’s meter‑reading equipment had reached the end of its service life and replacement parts were unavailable. Armstrong recommended purchasing a new receiver antenna system and a ruggedized laptop to read meters remotely. He said the new equipment has already reduced meter-reading time from about eight hours to approximately 2.5–3 hours in initial use.
Armstrong said the system is proprietary to Midwest Meters, a vendor the utility has used before, and that the rugged laptop was the primary factor increasing the cost. Councilmember (functional label) moved to approve the purchase from Midwest Meters in the amount of $18,700 for the receiver antenna system and ruggedized laptop; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Armstrong said staff expects the system to improve efficiency and ease department transition ahead of an upcoming retirement in the utility.
