5.5. ERMUSR 09-15-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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mobile collector would make the added meter reading associated with territory acquisition easier. The device would cost $26,000 with the possibility of trading in the McLite. This mobile collector had been priced at $38,000 new. Another factor to be considered with taking meter reading in house would be meter disconnects and reconnects associated with non-payment. There is a need for trained personnel to perform the high number of disconnects experienced in recent yeazs. Improvements in meter reading technology do not eliminate the need for an appropriate number of trained personnel. In addition to the disconnects and reconnects, there is a need for these trained personnel for physical inspection of metering facilities. It is required by the National Electrical Safety Code that metering facilities are inspected "as experience deems necessary". As more and more meters were converted to ERTed meters and being read remotely, the physical inspections that had been inherent to meter reading became less frequent. This is something that will need to be scheduled on an ongoing rotational basis and will require trained personnel. Because of these reasons there is a need for additional trained staff to bring meter reading in house. This additional work would justify the addition on 1 part time employee. With the increasing trend in disconnects and reconnects associated with non-payment, it may also be necessary to hire a seasonal employee. Based on the results from a 2010 salary survey done by Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association, a meter reader hourly wage would fall in the range of our current pay plan azound grade level 3. Calculating the points per our pay plan system, this position would fit into the grade level 3. At an average of 20 hours per week and including the applicable benefits, vehicle, and persona( protective equipment, the annual cost for this position would have an approximately range of $24,000 to $31,000. A seasonal employee hired to assist with disconnects and reconnects may be needed approximately 2 days a month for 7 months of the yeaz. At our current pay rate for seasonal employees and including personal protective equipment, the annual cost for this employee would be approximately $3000. There may be a need to also utilize the current meter technicians to assist with the meter rereads, disconnects, and reconnects. This reallocation of time would be minimal and the costs associated with that time aze already being realized by ERMU. This shift in cost wouldn't be more that $10,000 per yeaz. This would bring the approximate cost range to bring meter reading in house with the hiring of the additional staff to $37,000 to $44,000. Under the current meter reading agreement, the 2010 total yeaz estimate for meter reading is $111,072.05. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends the authorization to hire an additional part time meter reader and a seasonal employee to facilitate taking meter reading in house. Staff recommends the authorization to purchase the unbudgeted mobile collector.