MANNFORD — Mannford residents will not bear any additional cost for the city’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, according to a recent update from City Manager Gerald Haury.
A few weeks after the Oklahoma Water Resource Board (OWRB) approved $693,820 in funding for Mannford Public Works Authority to replace aging water meters Haury was notified the city may be required to provide a 25 percent matching share on what was initially believed to be a 100 percent principal forgiveness loan due to changes to state funding guidelines. However, on July 2 Haury had confirmed that was not the case — clarifying earlier concerns about the funding structure.
“OWRB confirmed the match will be required for any city that secures the same type of funding during the next fiscal year,” Haury explained. “Mannford does not have to pay anything… It is a 100 percent principal forgiveness loan that is completely forgiven as long as the money is spent on the approved project.”
Because the funding is fully forgiven, Mannford will not have to contribute local dollars toward the project cost to replace nearly 1,000 water meters with advanced metering technology. Haury also said residents should not expect any increase in utility rates as a result of the project.
'There is no impact on utility rates,' he said. 'Mannford did not raise the rates on water, sewer, gas, or electric services this year. We are expecting greater accuracy and timely meter reading which may slow rate increases in future years.'
OWRB representatives are expected to attending the upcoming Mannford City Council meeting on July 9 to recognize the funding award.