HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 06 11 Informational A Meter Service Manager
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM A
Consent
Informational X
Public Hearing
Regular
June 11,2001
Meeting
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Mgr. / Dept.
Authorization
PURPOSE: The City Manager wishes to report to the City Commission on progress and
enhancements made in meter services operations since the establishment of a Meter
Services Division and the hiring of a Meter Services Manager.
BACKGROUND:
1. In a concerted attempt to improve meter services throughout the city, a Meter Services
Division was established in March, 2000, and soon thereafter, Gregory Bishop was
hired to fill the newly-created position of Meter Services Manager.
2. Mr. Bishop came to the city from Orange County where he held a similar position, but
for a customer base that was approximately seven times as large. His experience and
background in meter service operations is varied and comprehensive.
3. Mr. Bishop set out to immediately develop a long-range plan for replacing older
meters, upgrading meter reading procedures and devices, clearing up delinquent
accounts, and reorganizing meter services personnel to more effectively and efficiently
utilize Meter Readers and Service Technicians on staff.
4. The City Commission promoted and endorsed these efforts through the budgetary
process, and approved other measures at various Commission meetings.
Informational Agenda Item "C"
Page 2
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
From March, 2000, to the present, the Meter Services Division - which functions as part
of the Finance Department - counts the following among its many accomplishments:
1. Over 400 defective or hard-to-read water meters have been replaced.
2. Over 450 older meters - 251 of which are in backyards that are not easily accessible -
have been fitted with the so-called "Firefly" radio read devices, resulting in a reduction
in reading time of over 10 man-hours per month.
3. A non-functioning 8" X 2" fire service meter at Highlands Elementary School was
replaced at a cost of $6,553.40, resulting in a net gain of over 35,000 gallons of average
monthly consumption in three months, and a gain of $122.50 in monthly revenue.
4. An adjustment was made to a 6" X 2" fire service meter at Winter Springs High School
which resulted in extra water consumption of over one million gallons over a ten month
period, and a corresponding gain in revenue of $7,800.00.
5. The necessity for re-reads was reduced dramatically from a monthly average of 336 to
157.
6. Reorganization and reassignment of routes resulted in two meter readers being able to
read all meters in 12 days, which is a reduction from four meter readers previously
requiring 16 days.
7. An entirely new meter reading system was purchased, installed, implemented, de-
bugged, and is now fully operational.
8. Over 600 meter boxes and lids have been replaced.
COMMISSION ACTION: None Required.