Authorization to Renew the Master Agreement With OPUS 21 (Utility Billing Provider) for One Year

The City currently contracts with OPUS 21 for utility billing services.  OPUS 21 prints and distributes approximately 9,000 utility bills quarterly and handles all utility billing inquiries.  For their services, OPUS 21 is paid approximately $51,000 annually

The original contract (Master Services Agreement) with OPUS 21 was for the period of February 7, 2008 through February 6, 2013.  On January 8, 2013, the City Council authorized a three year extension (February 7, 20013- February 6, 2016) with OPUS 21 via an Addendum to the Master Services Agreement.  This Addendum included two (2)  one-year renewal options at the City's discretion.  The first year renewal option would be for the period of February 7, 2016 - February 6, 2017.  The fourth quarter billing for 2015 will be completed on January 25, 2016, so the renewal period will cover 2016 billing services.


 

The City Attorney has reviewed the addendum language and has prepared a Notice of Renewal  for the period of February 7, 2016 - February 6, 2017.  The renewal requires the signatures of the Mayor and City Administrator only.

Other than bringing the function of utility billing in-house, staff has not found another vendor that provides the utility billing service outside of OPUS 21.  Most outside vendors are bill print only.

All utility billing functions are paid through the respective enterprise funds of water, sewer, street lighting, recycling and storm drainage.

Staff recommends extending the service agreement with OPUS 21 for an additional year with the one-year renewal option for February 7, 2017 - February 6, 2018 still available.

Motion to authorize the renewal of the Master Service Agreement with OPUS 21 for an additional year - February 7, 2016 - February 6, 2017.