A plan pushed by Fort Smith city staff to analyze and eventually modernize the city’s water meter system failed to get even a motion of support from the Fort Smith Board of Directors during the board’s Tuesday (Aug. 19) regular meeting.
The rare lack of support from any of the seven board members leaves uncertain the issue of fixing what city staffers have said is an aging water meter infrastructure.
“There was no appetite for the AMI (advanced metering infrastructure),” Josh Buchfink, public relations manager with the City of Fort Smith, said after Tuesday’s meeting. “At some point they may present another plan, but yes, for now it’s safe to say the issue is dead.”
City administration, including Water Utilities Director Lance McAvoy, were again asking the board to approve spending $125,000 for an assessment of the city’s water meter system. The board on July 22 tabled a measure to move forward on the first phase of what could be a multi-million dollar effort to eventually replace all city water meters.
The board on June 24 agreed to allow McAvoy to work with Ameresco to develop options to modernize the city’s water meter system, which could help the city reduce an estimated non revenue water loss of around 35%. Ameresco executive Chad Nobles said during the June 24 meeting the cost to replace meters could range between $20 million and $48 million. Fort Smith had 39,372 water meters as of late June.
McAvoy and Acting City Administrator Jeff Dingman have argued that the city needs a complete systemwide analysis that only a professional services firm can provide. McAvoy noted that in 2024 the city had to write off more than $1 million in leakage adjustments. McAvoy said in the July 22 meeting he is 99% confident a complete audit will result in a modern meter system that could reduce errors, reduce losses, raise revenue and help avoid or delay future water rate increases.
Directors have balked at not only the cost, but the process, arguing broadly for a more limited approach to testing existing meters and targeting meters that are aging out.
Former Director Lavon Morton, who has in the past supported efforts to modernize the city’s water and sewer infrastructure, spoke Tuesday in opposition of the Ameresco plan. Morton said the city should find a way to look at water meter quality, but suggested the city fix old meters first, or maybe focus on commercial meters first.
After public and board comments, Mayor George McGill called for board action and no member of the board offered a motion in support, effectively killing the city staff proposal.