CAIRO — Wading through citizen comment on a proposed project and discussion of a special event permit, the Cairo City Council approved action toward a water meter project on Monday night. 

In a 4-1 vote, the city officials approved authorization for City Manager Chris Addleton to proceed with the bidding process for the implementation of automated metering infrastructure (AMI) water meters.  

Council member Lannis Thornton made the motion for approval, with Ernest Cloud seconding. Mayor Pro Tem Jimmy Douglas cast the lone dissenting vote. 

“I think it will be a good move for the City of Cairo,” Cairo Public Works Director Raymond Stokes said . 

With the approval of the bid-seeking process, the expected timeline for the process would be to advertise the request for bids in December, award bids in February and give notice to proceed in March. 

Addleton also gave a presentation on the water meter project during the council meeting. 

The implementation of the meters would have a projected savings of $360,000 over a payback of just over four years. 

Projected costs for meter deployment — for water, electric, and gas — total to $1,513,787, with Cairo’s Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) grant of $475,858 factored in. 

The funding for the project also consists of a $713,787 low-interest loan. 

The project will replace and reterofit approximately 4,200 water meters and install hardware for automatic meter reading capabilities for water and sewer billing. 

Benefits to the project include improved record keeping and reduced manpower in meter reading. 

Energy Services Director Rod Prince said an advantage to the system is being able to remotely disconnect and reconnect electric meters. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.