Consultants brief council on automated/advanced metering; cost estimated just under $30 million
The December 18, 2018 council meeting included a presentation by consultants regarding automated/advanced metering infrastructure. The Amarillo Globe-News reported on December 27, 2018 that SL-serco had completed an automated metering case study, that the Finance Director put the overall cost at just under $30 million, and that the City would apply to the Texas Water Development Board for low-interest financing. The article does not mention a rate increase.[1][2]
The December 18, 2018 council minutes list, as Item 1B, a presentation by consultants regarding automated/advanced metering infrastructure, without further detail.[1]
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Laura Storrs, Finance Director, City of Amarillo: The Amarillo Globe-News reported (December 27, 2018) that Finance Director Laura Storrs put the overall cost of the infrastructure, towers, software and meters at just under $30 million, and that the City would apply to the Texas Water Development Board for low-interest financing, with a council resolution to apply expected the next month and a loan-agreement resolution six to nine months later.[2]
Amount
$30,000,000
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No fetched 2018 source describes a water or sewer rate increase for AMI. The 2018 records found (the July 24, 2018 consulting award, the December 18, 2018 consultant presentation, the December 27, 2018 Globe-News report and the September 2018 FY2018/19 budget ordinance packet) cover planning and financing only. The earliest fetched City document linking a rate increase to AMI is the January 15, 2019 agenda memo.[3][4][1][2][5][6]