6.4. ERMUSR 05-16-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

McBRADY METER READING Pat McBrady April 6, 2006 19018 159 Ave Park Rapids, MN 56470 Bryan Adams Elk River Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 It has been three years since the last contract negotiations and two years since our last raise. After reviewing the increasing responsibilities and workload I would propose the following increases: With the increase in ERT meters we have had a reduction in the employee costs per meter, but most route that are ERT reads, go from walking routes to driving routes. Driving works out much better on most full ERT routes. Unfortunely driving routes cost more due to the increase in the standard deduction per mile over the last two years, and also we are driving more miles per meter, verses walking the routes. At this time we are proposing no increase in the rate per meter but would like to tie an increase to the standard federal mileage deduction. The biggest concern is fuel costs and employee loss if they can't be adequetely compensated for increases in fuel costs and annual raises. It is far better to spend a little more to retain quality employees than to try and replace them. Standard mileage deduction raises to $.47 per mile, reading rate increases $.O1 per meter reading over the current rate. Standard mileage deduction raises to $.50 per mile, reading rate increases $.02 per meter reading over the current rate. Beyond $.53 per mile standard mileage deduction, renegotiation of contract. With the standard mileage deduction up from $37.5 per mile in 2004 to $44.5 in 2006 and fuel prices expected to increase a lot this year and following years, we are proposing the following increase per readout and shut off, to cover these costs and employee raises. Also I don't know what the utlity charges for readouts but I believe the the charge for disconnects has not changed from $20 since I have been doing them, (almost 18 years). When I first started people were quite upset about the extra $20, but now it seems to bother almost nobody. $1.00 per readout to $8.00 in 2006. $0.75 per readout to $8.75 in 2007. $1.10 per disconnect to $9.00 in 2006 $0.75 per disconnect to $9.75 in 2007. I have been able to hire and retain some good employees (the finest I have seen in almost I8 years of meter reading). It takes 6 months to 1 year for a reader to become proficient in the job, and only one in four new hires will make the grade. The loss of quality readers not only affects me, but ripples throught the whole utilities. We cover a lot of meters and are around a lot of customers under sometimes very adverse conditions, with very few problems. I would like to be able to give my readers a raise to help further retain them. Thank You Pat McBrady