CAIRO — The topic of discussion for numerous council meetings, the Cairo City Council approved an agreement and installation regarding automated metering infrastructure (AMI) water meters at Monday’s meeting. 

The agreement between the City of Cairo and Sensus USA, Inc. was approved for Mayor Bobbie Burns to sign with Council member Jerry Cox motioning for approval and Bobby Gwaltney seconding. 

The agreement would allow the city to proceed with the AMI meter infrastructure.  

“This a long-term commitment we’re making,” Cairo Public Works Director Raymond Stokes said. 

“We’d like for the infrastructure to be in place before we place the meters,” Cairo City Manager Chris Addleton said. 

The infrastructure would take around two to three months to be put in place, Addleton added. 

For the infrastructure, the total cost is approximately $1.1 million and material costs of just under $1 million. A $114,922 installation labor cost from the subcontractor is also projected. 

Along with the agreement to proceed with the meter infrastructure, the council unanimously approved the installation of the AMI water meters. 

Utility Solutions of America was the lone bid for the project with a total base bid of $142,296. 

The city received the bid on Jan. 10, after a pre-bid meeting was held on Dec. 22 with Utility Solutions of America and another potential bidder. 

For the installation, Addleton recommended approving the installation with Utility Solutions of America for $142,296. Another aspect of Addleton’s recommendation was the stipulation upon executing the agreement, a change order will result in a contract price of $114,922. The change order will result in $27,374 in savings. 

Cox motioned for approving the installation process and Gwaltney seconded. 

The council unanimously approved moving forward with the AMI water meter project by starting the bid process on Nov. 28. 

The scope of the project will replace or retrofit approximately 4,200 meters. To fund the project, the City of Cairo has a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loan and grant for nearly $1.19 million. The city also has $475,858 in loan forgiveness. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.