Jim Brock / The Meridian StarThe City of Meridian is moving forward with a bond of nearly $10 million for citywide water-meter replacement and other energy services. 

The City of Meridian is moving forward with a bond of nearly $10 million for citywide water-meter replacement and other energy services.

The City Council on Tuesday approved the $9,991,214 request, along with a resolution authorizing “employment” of Jackson-based Butler Snow LLP and Government Consultants, Inc., “in connection with financing services” for an energy services lease agreement.

This comes a few months after the City Council in October 2017 approved a contract with McNeil-Rhoads for services that include the replacement of about 14,000 water meters and installation of LED lighting in city-owned buildings.

The project will also include heating, ventilation and air-conditioning work at some city-owned properties.

The council is expected to review potential lender bids next month.

City of Meridian Public Works Director Hugh Smith said it will be a few months until actual work begins, as there are a few more steps left in the process, including product selection.

Smith also said the project will take an from nine months to over a year to complete.

“We will get a network in place, test the infrastructure, install the software and start the process,” McNeil Rhoads president Chris McNeil said in October. “Once we get started, we can do about 100 to 150 [meters] a day.”

McNeil said the new technology will enable city employees to detect issues such as leaky faucets and toilets by running a daily report from the office. The new technology will also eliminate the need to read every meter on site.

Richie McAlister, the city’s chief adminstrative officer, said in October the change will help both the city and citizens save money.

“You can break it down to the hour when you use the most water,” McAlister said.

Tray Hairson of Butler Snow said the city would make its first interest-only payment in March 2020, with monthly principal payments to follow.

In the meantime, the city plans to set aside reserve money to prepare for the payment schedule.

In other action, the council approved:

– An order authorizing execution of lease agreement between Greyhounds Lines, Inc., and the City of Meridian

– An order appointing Doug Stephens as Public Safety and Training Director.