What happens with a utility fee add-on

From what financial analysts can figure, Westminster spent more than received from a $7 dollar monthly add-on to utility bills starting in 2015.  Three months ago, city council removed the fee.  But the idea that customers can expect a refund or credit was further complicated last night when the remaining council members received an accountants’ report on AMI–Automated Metering Infrastructure.  According to city administrator Kevin Bronson, the McKinley, Cooper and Company was hampered in its analysis by the lack of documents.  Bronson revealed AMI fee collections of $1.9 million and associated expenses of $2.1 million.  That left the mayor and three remaining councilmen at loss as to how the city can afford a credit or refund without a further utility rate increase or a cut in projects, such as those envisioned to correct utility system shortcomings.  At the request of Councilman Meflah, council will wait until June when the three winners of this month’s special election will have a full month in office before they are asked to weigh-in on the AMI controversy.