At its monthly meeting July 12, the Magnolia City Council discussed the possible addition of a part-time, temporary public works employee specifically tasked with reading meters to expedite the reading and installation process of utility meters.[/caption]

The City of Magnolia is working to install 1,300 self-reading utility meters over the next few years, which will allow public works employees to read meters more efficiently, Magnolia City Administrator Paul Mendes said.

Of the 1,300 needed for the city, 400 utility meters were purchased during the current fiscal year, 43 of which city employees have installed since the end of April, Mendes said.

“I’m hoping that in the next 60 to 90 days we have everything in [of the 400 meters ordered] and are reading [the newly installed meters] automatically,” Mendes said.

At its monthly meeting July 12, the city council discussed the possible addition of a part-time, temporary public works employee specifically tasked with reading meters to expedite the reading and installation process.

“Our personnel is loaded,” Council Member Jonny Williams said. “Maybe that’d help the utility department as well as make it a little more efficient [in getting meters read].”

Until the city completes the switch to self-reading meters, two public works employees are tasked with reading each meter individually—some of which are hidden behind buildings—each month in addition to helping out with other public works duties, such as leaking sewer or water lines.

“Possibly, by having this part-time [employee], it will help the public works department so they can take care of the sewer line that gets broken or the water line [while the part-time employee reads the meters],” Council Member John Bramlett said.

The city has been self-installing the new meters, but the council unanimously approved city staff to work with a contractor to install the remaining meters in the city’s possession, not to exceed an installation cost of $35 per meter. The purchase and installation of additional utility meters will be considered by the council as funds are made available, Mendes said.

Council members will continue to weigh the cost of adding a public works employee at their first budget workshop for the 2016-2017 fiscal year at 8 a.m. July 16.

“Maybe the solution is another public works employee, not just a temporary meter reader if we have the funds,” Mayor Todd Kana said.

During the meeting, the council also approved the purchase of seasonal decorative banners to be placed on street poles in the historical area of Magnolia to promote city events and tourism, as well as $15,000 to be given to Texans United for Freedom for their annual Cooking 4 Courage BBQ Cook Off on November 10-12 in Unity Park. The event includes a third evening this year and features a flag retirement ceremony, entertainment and a dinner for veterans in the park in addition to the barbecue cook off fundraiser.