Representatives of AMI Solutions/EJP presented information to the Culver Town Council members last week concerning a new meter reading system.
AMI Solutions Specialist Dave York explained that the company could install a new antenna, box and computer software to improve meter reading and reporting systems for the town. The employees at the water department would save two days of driving around town to collect meter readings as the bills could be generated at the Culver Town Hall in a matter of minutes. A new computer system can track those bills and meter activity for three years instead of three months to look at trends in certain areas, if needed.
Flexnet would also send alerts of higher usage which could indicate a leak. It would be detected and investigated within a matter of days. Current leaks are not discovered until the bills are generated and a higher amount is found. The management system also allows employees to filter reports to show specific information in case there is a dispute over a bill where more accurate details can be presented for an informed decision, among many other aspects.
The cost of the system, including antennas and other set-up equipment, is $153,990, a cost that Councilman Bill Cleavenger believes is too expensive for the size of Culver with only a 1,140 meters. Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim countered that it would save time with the employees in the Water Department and in her office which would be worth the expense. She noted that half of the cost would come out of the Water Department fund and the Sewer Department Fund.
The council members did not make any decisions concerning the purchase of the new system last week. They plan to discuss it further during their August 10 meeting.
