7/18/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BACKGROUND: The Department, in its continuing effort to control operating and maintenance expenses, reviewed its actual annual meter reading costs versus estimated contract meter reading services. In its investigation, the Department contacted other South Florida utilities who are utilizing these services. The utilities contacted reported annual savings along with associated problems during the transition. Based upon this analysis the Department recommended that an Invitation To Bid (attached) be advertised and issued to vendors who provide Contract Meter Reading Services and a final analysis be made upon firm costs. The Department's Meter Reading Division currently has eight (8) positions. The positions are as follows: Supervisor -1; Utility Service Worker -1; Meter Readers - 6. In the Department's analysis it was proposed to retain the Supervisor position to coordinate and supervise the contract meter reading services and to perform other associated duties with customer service. The cost effectiveness of the Utility Service Worker position which performs turn-on/turn-offs and other duties associated with this function was to be evaluated after receipt of proposals. The Department would propose to release the six (6) meter reading positions and utility service worker position if bids were projected to be cost effective. The Department advertised and received bids for proposed Contract Meter Reading Services on May 5, 1995. Three firms who specialize in providing these services responded to the Invitation To Bid. They are as follows: MBR Services, Inc. 8401 NW 53rd Ter Miami, F1 Municipal Meter Reading Service, Inc. 5140 Davie Road #7 Davie, Fl Matvest, Inc. d/b/a Bermes, Inc. 29500 Southfield Rd Southfield, MI. During the bidding process, the Department met with the employees of the meter reading division and explained the economic reasoning for the actions being taken. The employees were assured that an effort would be made to place each of the employees affected with the County in other positions if possible. During the bidding process one of the employees received a job offer from the private sector and resigned. The vacant position has not been refilled. In the interim, these duties have been performed by the Supervisor of the meter reading division. A summary analysis of current annual costs (schedule attached) associated with six (6) meter reader and (1) utility service worker position is as follows: Total Salary and Benefits $168,406 General and Administrative $ 121,484 Vehicle Expenses S 36 *1162 Total Labor and Other Direct Costs $ 217,052 Total Annual Meters with 7% increase, 221,439 (including 14,400 Turn-on/turn-off work orders) Total Current Cost Labor and ODC (per meter) $ .9801 49 July 18, 1995 BUCK 95 f,A.t1749