Memorandum
Date: March 23, 2021
To: The Honorable Bruno Sabatier, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Steven Hajik, Agricultural Commissioner/ Sealer of Weights and Measures
Subject: Request to (A) Approve the Purchase of a Probewell Electric Meter (B) Approve a Budget Transfer (C) Authorize the Ag Commissioner/Sealer to Sign the Purchase Order.
Executive Summary:
The current electric meter prover is over 30 years old. Currently we use a Knopp standard for testing electric meters. This device, although it still works, it is very old. These devices usually fail certification (by the CDFA) at or around the age that ours is. The Knopp device we use is no longer being manufactured, so it’s difficult if not impossible to get it repaired if it fails.
The electric meter prover is used to test the accuracy of electric meters used in sub metering situations where the owner of a mobile home park charges the tenants a monthly charge for power use. Accurate meters prevent possible over/under charges to tenants and the owners.
There were three bids that were obtained. The Probewell bid was $8,603. The Tesco bid was $9,986. The Radian bid was $28,995. All three products have similar capacities and are approve for use in California by the CDFA (State). See the attachments.
The Probewell was recommended by the CDFA and is currently being used by the neighboring counties. The Probewell is the new type of device used for testing electric meters. A new standard for testing electric meters is necessary for this department in order to continue testing in the future. We have the funds to purchase this equipment in FY 2020/2021 because of extra Unclaimed Gas Tax (UCGT) monies. UCGT funds are provided by the CDFA and are intended to be spent in the fiscal year they are provided to the counties.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost:$8,603.00 Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
☒ Economic Development ☐ Disaster Recovery ☐ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☐ Cost Savings
If request for exemption from competitive bid in accordance with County Code Chapter 2 Sec. 2-38, fill in blanks below:
Which exemption is being requested?
How long has Agreement been in place?
When was purchase last rebid?
Reason for request to waive bid?
Recommended Action: Request to (A) Approve the Purchase of a Probewell Electric Meter (B) Approve a Budget Transfer (C) Authorize the Ag Commissioner/Sealer to Sign the Purchase Order.