The City Council on Tuesday approved a $4.29 million purchase of Neptune water meters as part of the city’s multiyear replacement program, advancing the final phase of an effort to modernize meter infrastructure and meet federal lead and copper compliance deadlines.
The purchase from Core & Main, Inc., presented as a sole-source acquisition, uses a combination of Water Operating Budget funds and Water Fund Balance dollars.
Public Works Executive Director Shane Kelton told council members that the replacement program, now in its fourth year, is intended to ensure accurate readings across the system and eliminate aging, unreliable meters.
“With age, everything starts wearing out and we start losing our ability to register the water that’s moving through the meters,” Kelton told the Council. “With our old meters that were in place prior to the replacement program starting, we had, I think at one point in time, we had over 600 dead meters that weren’t registering for any water period.”
The replacement program will also support the city’s compliance with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revision requirements.
The project is expected to wrap up in late spring or early summer 2027. However, Kelton told council he believes the contractor may be able to complete the work by the end of this fiscal year. The motion passed unanimously.
Water Meter Installation Contract Also Moves Forward
Earlier in the meeting, the council unanimously approved a $2.58 million HGAC cooperative contract with Core & Main for installation of water meters and service-line testing. The project will replace outdated meters across San Angelo and test all connected service lines to confirm that no lead lines remain.
Approved in 2023, the AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) initiative aims to automate water usage reporting and improve billing accuracy.
According to city documents, the installation contract, funded through the Water Capital account, is the final piece needed to complete the citywide testing required by the EPA.
Work is expected to finish by spring 2027 to meet federal deadlines.
Council Reviews Animal Shelter Pod Proposal
The council also heard a presentation on a proposed redesign of the San Angelo Animal Shelter, including a shift toward smaller kennel pods, outdoor access, and improved ventilation.
Animal Services Manager Amanda Weddle and Construction Manager Alfonso Torres outlined a plan to replace the previously approved remodel with a phased construction of new kennel pods.
Current best practices recommend kennel pods of 20–25 spaces, each with indoor and outdoor access through guillotine doors. Weddle said the concept improves sanitation, airflow, sunlight exposure, and disease control.
The city has $2.03 million allocated for the project. Pods are estimated to cost $350,000 to $500,000 each. The design is slated for completion in May 2026, with phased construction expected to continue through fall 2027.
To read more about the animal shelter design presentation, click HERE.
$198,600 River Parks Master Plan Contract Approved
In other business, the council unanimously approved awarding RFQ PK 04-25 to SWA Group for the Santa Fe/Downtown River Parks Master Plan in the amount of $198,600. Funding comes from TIRZ, COSADC, and the General Capital Projects fund balance.
Parks and Recreation Director Carl White said the plan will provide a unified vision for Santa Fe Park and surrounding river parks, including Civic League, Sunken Garden, Bart DeWitt and Rio Concho. It also incorporates planning for the “Concho River Legacy Trail,” a sculpture installation project endorsed by council earlier this year.
To read more about the Master Plan, click HERE.
