PUAB 6/18/26

The City of Independence, Missouri Public Utilities Advisory Board met on June 18, 2026, to discuss several utility-related projects and financial matters. Key procurement-related topics included the introduction of the My Meter portal, a new customer engagement platform to provide utility data access without changing billing or payment systems. The board also reviewed proposed changes to convenience fees for online utility payments, with three options presented; the board voted to recommend a percentage-based fee pass-through to customers. Additionally, Black & Veatch presented a comprehensive water rate study recommending phased rate increases over five years to cover rising costs and capital projects, including a new fee for water main replacement. The meeting included updates on capital projects, budget utilization, and ongoing utility infrastructure planning, such as the municipal services complex and power capacity contracts. No formal contract awards or vendor selections were made during this meeting, but several procurement and budgetary decisions were discussed and recommended for further action.