Long Beach, CA
File #: 08-0626    Version: 1 Name: CD -7 - utililty meter reading
Type: Agenda Item Status: Approved
File created: 6/23/2008 In control: City Council
On agenda: 7/1/2008 Final action: 7/1/2008
Title: Recommendation to request report on effectiveness and veracity of bimonthly utility meter reading.
Sponsors: COUNCILMEMBER TONIA REYES URANGA, SEVENTH DISTRICT
Attachments: 1. 070108-R-20sr.pdf
Related files: 05-2543
TITLE
Recommendation to request report on effectiveness and veracity of bimonthly utility meter reading.
 
DISCUSSION
As part of the City's three-year plan to bring the City into structural balance, in April 2005, the City began a program of bimonthly utility meter reading and averaging monthly utility usage. The program was designed to save money by having Edison employees only read utility meters every other month. The cost savings of changing to the program at that time were estimated to be $1 million per year.
 
I request that the City Manager prepare a report on the effectiveness of the bi-monthly utility meter reading program. Specifically I would ask that the following issues be addressed:
 
      · How residents that are billed in the estimated month as over baseline usage
        and then are subsequently found to have only used baseline usage are adjusted
        to reflect only baseline usage for both months.
 
      · Actual cost saving achieved by bimonthly meter reading.
 
      · Customer's reaction to program since initiation
 
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
None.
 
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
 
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
Tonia Reyes Uranga
Councilmember, Seventh District