In 2012 the City Council approved the purchase of an automated Utility Billing Radio reading system.  The city of Chanhassen purchased a Neptune system from Ferguson Waterworks, following the lead of two other cities (Maple Grove & Roseville) purchasing the identical system.

Within the first couple of years it became apparent the radios installed in each of the homes in each of the communities had a high-failure rate.  Over the past several years all three cities have been working with Neptune and Ferguson to come up with a solution where any failures of radio's would be at a minimum.

The other two cities have already reached an agreement with the providers and within the last couple of weeks City staff along with management from Ferguson have come upon an agreement for replacement of the radios.  That agreement will be presented to city council for consideration at its next regular session meeting.

The agreement arrived at will save the city money in the long run as the price agreed upon for the purchase of Water Meters going forward will be cheaper then the current market price paid for those meters and will also include a fully warrantied new R900 radio.  The cost to replace meters is already included within the annual operating budget of the Water fund and no change to that line item will be needed going forward.  Staff will review some of the mechanics of the agreement with City Council this evening and look for city council approval of the agreement on March 23rd.