ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 15, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Resolutions TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Randy McKeegan, Finance Director
DATE: July 2, 2026
SUBJECT: Dispense with bidding for the purchase of Badger Meter water meters for the Water Department 2026.
Resolution determining that Badger Meter water meters cannot be reasonably obtained through the usual bidding procedures and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding and negotiate the purchase of Badger Meter water meters, not to exceed $1,552,500.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend adoption of the resolution.
BACKGROUND:
Historically the Water Department has issued water meter contracts based on low bids, unforeseen costs were incurred due to high rates of meter failure. While some of the meter vendors did provide replacement water meters, there were labor costs associated with replacing the failed water meters.
The City recently began implementation of Badger Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, and the meters have demonstrated reliable operation, strong compatibility between the City and Cal Water systems, and effectively integrated into daily utility functions.
Badger Meter has over 115 years of experience and a wide range of meters and flow measurement technologies
Consistency with known technology will allow for seamless transition from direct -read to automation.
Badger Beacon Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System provides Utility Companies the ability to install AMI on a few critical meters or an entire meter population anywhere in the Utility’s footprint that has cellular coverage.
Benefits of commonly used products such as water meters aid in the operation and maintenance of the City’s water system. These benefits include but are not limited to meter reading, meter repairs, AMI technology and stocking commonly used parts.
Water Department currently desires to purchase meters directly from Badger Meter, in-lieu of Cal Water purchasing meters on behalf of the City, and using the same vendor is necessary to successfully integrate into the City’s existing water system. The Water Depart ment is also in the process of implementing its system-wide AMI Installation Program to bring the entire City system with AMI abilities.
The City municipal code section 3.20.060(D)(2) allows the City to dispense with bidding when it is determined that w ork, supplies, equipment or materials can only be reasonably be obtained from one vendor because of restricted availability of such work, supplies, equipment or materials, or because of the necessity to successfully integrate such work, supplies, equipment or materials into an existing city project or system.
staff recommend adoption of the resolution to dispense with bidding for Badger Meter water meters not to exceed $1,552,500 in accordance with Section 3.20.060(D)(2) of the Bakersfield Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Water Resources Budget, in accordance with the supplemental rate study. There will be no impact to the City General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Reliable Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Cal Water Recommendation Letter
2. Resolution to Dispense with Bidding