Subject:
Title
Resolution adopting the updated 2026 Utilities Policy Manual.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the resolution adopting the updated 2026 Utilities Policy Manual (UPM).
• In 2025, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution 25-40, including a fully updated and replaced UPM.
• Resolution allows update and consolidation of current practices, services, and configuration of the County’s Utilities Department.
• UPM applies to all existing and future customers.
• Consistent with last year’s resolution, Utilities committed to timely review of the UPM and presenting modifications to Board of County Commissioners as needed.
• The majority of 2026 updates to the UPM are ministerial and can be reviewed in the redlined version attached to this staff report. The version attached to the resolution is not redlined.
• The substantive changes have previously been reviewed with the Board of County Commissioners and are found in:
o Section 3.5.4 - AMI Cellular Communication Opt-Out Program.
o Section 5.2.6.1 - Penny Coin Payment. Due to federal government discontinuing penny production, we must have a policy for rounding ot the nearest nickel.
o Section 5.4.9 - Opt-Out Billing Policy - Establishes a billing policy for customers opting out of the AMI Cellular Communication in Section 3.5.4 and requiring manual meter reading.
o Section 7.8.2 - Truck Meters - Revised procedure and responsibilities.
o Section 14 - Definitions - Defines:
§ “Cellular Endpoint;”
§ “Manual Meter Reading Service;” and
§ “Opt-Out (AMI)”.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4.3 Improve efficiency of service delivery through technology.
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement.
4.5 Develop and retain a highly skilled and efficient workforce.
Summary:
Summary
UPM updates and consolidates existing policies applicable to all existing and future customers of County systems. The updates add new policies related to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, and updates processes related to Truck Meters.
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Background Information:
The County Water Policy Manual was adopted in 1987 per Resolution 87-371. The Manual was updated and realigned as the Utilities Policy Manual in 2025 per Resolution 25-40. Resolution 25-40 codified existing policies and procedures, clarifies utility and customer responsibilities, incorporates expanded service offerings, and outlines expectations for development-related system enhancements. The Policy Manual is ADA-compliant, searchable, hyperlinked to internal references and external resources, and will be located on the County website for easy access and transparency.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Jeremy Waugh, Director of Utilities
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution with Exhibit A - Utilities Policy Manual