New meters could save customers money
Managing editor
It just makes good business sense to replace outdated city water and electric meters with a new system that could allow city employees to accurately read meters by radio frequency, city administrator Doug Kjellin told the council Monday.
“This would pay for itself quickly,” he said.
Kjellin presented a spreadsheet comparing costs to have city personnel read meters during a two-week period every month and employees reading meters during a two-hour period with a handheld receiver in a vehicle.
The drive-by system would allow an employee to read both water and electric meters from a vehicle in the street instead of manually removing lids from water meters and locating electric meters for reading. Human error would be taken out of the equation, Kjellin said.
Some water meters are at least 50 years old. According to city records, if meters have been installed as indicated, about 25 percent of water meters are 10 years old or newer.
Councilman Bill Holdeman asked if city utility customers would see an increase in rates to cover the expense of installing the new equipment.
“Actually, we could save money by locking in rates for five years,” Kjellin said. “I think it’s going to make us money.”
Repeaters could be set up around town with a computer in the city office. A customer’s meter could be polled and be monitored to pick up unusual activity such as excessive water use that could indicate a break in the line.
The new system also could provide information about water and electrical use during a month.
Kjellin said he was not aware of any smaller cities the size of Marion using this new system. Olathe and Ottawa were two that he was aware of but were larger than Marion.
Meetings will be set up with vendors and Kjellin will report his findings at a future council meeting.
In other business, Police Chief Josh Whitwell introduced newly hired officer Brad Cady. Whitwell also showed a certificate of support for Assistant Chief Tyler Mermis as he serves in the military, deployed to Africa.
Whitwell also reported the police department would be taking orders for Krispy Kreme doughnuts as part of a fundraising effort for Relay for Life of Marion County. Orders may be placed at the police office or on the department’s Facebook page.
Marion Sesquicentennial Committee Chairman Dick Varenhorst asked the council to consider a resolution as a show of support for the city’s celebration in 2011. A resolution will be presented at a future meeting.
The council, Kjellin, and City Clerk Angela Lange met for 20 minutes in closed session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no action.
The next council meeting will be 4:30 p.m. March 21 in the city building.