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Denton approves Acceleron contract for prepaid utility program; customers to cover costs via facility charge
Summary
Council authorized a sole‑source contract with Acceleron Software for Denton's prepaid utility solution (initial 3‑year term, up to $15.46 million), with the program costs paid by participating customers through a facility charge; council vote was 7–0.
Council approved a contract with Acceleron Software to continue Denton's prepaid utility service, a customer‑facing program that lets users monitor daily charges and pay-as-they-go for utility service.
Customer service manager Krista Foster (speaker 7) explained the program's benefits, including daily visibility into electric charges, flexibility on payment timing, an absence of deposit or penalty fees for participating customers, and debt‑recovery options for customers returning to service. Foster said the city estimates up to $15.46 million in total contract value over an initial 3‑year contract with optional renewals and that the service cost is recovered through a modest facility charge paid by participating customers rather than the general fund.
Council members asked whether the program will extend to other utilities as AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) comes online; staff said all utilities are currently paid through the program and that water AMI would enable richer data for water usage. Purchasing manager Laurie Hill clarified the initial term is three years; either party may decline renewal thereafter. The council approved the ordinance awarding the contract (vote 7–0).
