City to install high-tech meters
|
Water system revenue and capital outlay notes totaling $1.2 million will be used for the project. The radio-based automatic meter reading system has an estimated cost of $1.1 million.
According to officials, the extra $100,000 will go to pay for any expenditures that might arise during purchase, installation and training. The new system includes 6,128 radio-read meters and 82 compound meters.
?It will take about six to eight months to install all the meters,? said Water and Wastewater director Carl Davis. ?We will install the residential meters first and then commercial and industrial.?
Once installed, the system is expected to increase revenue for the city, along with increasing productivity. Revenue will increase due to the accuracy of the meters. City officials have said the current meters aren?t completely accurate which allows some residents to get by without paying for all the water they use.
Productivity will increase because the system will take fewer city workers less time to read the meters.
The interest and principal on the notes must be paid from city water and sewer revenue. Under the agreement for the notes, if that revenue is not sufficient to pay the notes, the city will allow an increase in the tax rate of property owners to pay the bonds.
This is a situation elected officials are adamant won?t happen with Mayor Royce Davenport saying, ?It has never happened before.?
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen must also pass a resolution that will allow the system to be purchased from Volunteer Utility Sales, Inc.