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AGENDA ITEM NO. 5C <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Rick DeGardner <br />DATE: February 8,1999 <br />TOPIC: Conversion To Automatic Meter Reading System <br />VOTE REQUIRED: 315 <br />BACKGROUND: <br />After much discussion and research, staff is requesting that the City Council approve a <br />program to convert to an automatic water meter reading system. This new system will <br />improve the quality of water service and the accuracy and efficiency of our water billing. <br />To achieve this improvement, a new meter reading device called a Meter Interface Unit <br />(MIU) will be installed in every property. This system automatically "calls in" to the <br />Utility Office for trunsfening meter =ding data The MIU will:, be installed at no direct <br />cost to the property owner. The program is being financed by the Water Operating Fund. <br />The Phone Read System will be phased in over the next 4 years. Route 5 is scheduled to <br />be converted this Spring (See attached diagram). <br />Staff has identified advantages and disadvantages of this proposal: <br />Advantages <br />Personnel Costs Decreased — Currently spend approximately $18,000 annually for staff to <br />walk the entire city four tunes per year As accounts increase more staff time will need to <br />be dedicated for meter reading if automatic meter reading not implemented. <br />Liability reduced since city employees will not have to enter private property to obtain <br />meter readings. <br />More accurate utility billing since information processed directly from meter head to <br />utility billing software program. <br />City will not have to incur expense of converting homes yet to be built. Builders would <br />be required to install the MIU. <br />Possible Revenue Source — May be able to export readings to other utility companies. <br />