Libbert will continue as Meta’s chief water operator

By Neal A. Johnson, Unterrified Democrat Editor
Posted 10/16/19

The role of Chief Water Operator will continue to be performed by Harold Libbert, the mayor of Meta, following a decision by aldermen at their Oct. 9 meeting.

Libbert Construction was the only …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Libbert will continue as Meta’s chief water operator

Posted

The role of Chief Water Operator will continue to be performed by Harold Libbert, the mayor of Meta, following a decision by aldermen at their Oct. 9 meeting.

Libbert Construction was the only individual to submit a bid for the position, offering a wide range of services, including a daily reading of the master meter and obtaining and transporting water samples to the Department of Natural Resources.

City Clerk Deidra Buechter told the board she placed advertisements in local newspapers, and solicited by letter several potential water operators provided to the city by DNR.

In other business, aldermen approved a bid from Midwest Meter Inc. for the purchase and installation of electronic water meters.

As discussed last month, Midwest Meter has a system that will use a Badger AMI solution, which allows the city to use the AT&T tower to read the meters every day instead of buying equipment that would have to be replaced every five to 10 years.

An added benefit with this system is that customers would be notified automatically, should they choose to enroll in the program. A leak, for example, would be noted early, which would allow the city to investigate much sooner and avoid a costly water loss.

The system will cost $60,274.80, which includes meters, software and training in the amount of $36,420, and a 10-year maintenance package, which includes software updates, at a cost of $11,854.80.

Future software developments will allow the city to shut off water from the computer, but that is not available yet with this system.

* Aldermen were informed that Republic Services will exercise its contract right to increase rates by 3.3% under the Consumer Price Index as per the U.S. Department of Labor. The current monthly fee for trash service of $13.05 will increase to $13.48 per month per customer, effective Nov. 1.

* The board was invited to attend the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) annual awards dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at Waynesville.

* Aldermen decided not to hand out Halloween candy at City Hall, but Buechter will treat area kids at her salon on behalf of the city.

WATER NEWS

* Buechter’s water report indicated that for the month of September, the city had $3,919.34 in water sales, $1,044 for trash service, $153.89 in sales tax, and $220 in late fees, giving the city total current charges of $5,337.23. With a previous balance of $561.20 and payments received in the amount of $4,668.44, a total of $1,229.99 was still due as of  Sept. 30.

Buechter said that anyone who has not received their water bill for the month should contact City Hall.

In terms of water loss, a rate of 16% reflects a total of 450,775 gallons pumped and 359,350 gallons sold, with 73,092 gallons lost.

FINANCIAL NEWS

In her regular monthly financial report, Plassmeyer noted that the operating fund had a balance on hand of $486,060.12; the money market balance was $139,578.75; the escrow account totaled $910; and two certificates of deposit, one in the amount of $51,261.77 and another with a balance of $121,185.84, giving the city total funds on hand as of Sept. 30, of $798,996.48.

* Checks written in July totaled $6,570.47.

Note: Remaining business from this meeting will be presented next week.