Accurate electric meters could zap payment gap

After reviewing the town’s 2027 budget, much of the discussion at Centerville council’s work session revolved around replacing a stolen Flock camera and inaccurate electric meters. The latter might increase some customers’ bills.

Budget

Council conducted a public hearing for the 2027 budget during the Sept. 28 workshop, but no residents spoke.

Clerk-Treasurer Sarah Rice noted increases of 5% for utilities and 3% for utility salaries.

The biggest change involves Centerville Police Department’s fuel expenses. CPD’s annual gasoline budget has been $6,000 for years, but Rice and Chief Josh Millsaps reviewed recent years’ expenditures and determined $45,000 was more accurate. They told WWN that more precise budgeting could eliminate or reduce transfers from CPD funds such as equipment.

Budget adoption is expected at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 in town hall, 220 E. Main St. The public is invited.

Camera

One of Centerville’s Flock license plate readers, at U.S. 40 and Hildabrand Road, was recently stolen. The suspect’s reciprocal saw died while trying to remove it, so it was unbolted, according to Dan Wandersee, council president.

Councilors noted the irony of the theft not being recorded. Flock cameras are focused on vehicle activity and don’t provide general surveillance pictures.

Although councilors approved the Flock purchase years ago, they weighed the pros and cons of replacing it before voting. WWN first reported on the emerging use of Flock cameras across Wayne County Nov. 19, 2025. Since then, privacy concerns have been raised nationally and regionally, and several Indiana communities recently discontinued use of the devices.

Wandersee said police often take the most criticism for using Flock, but many businesses also use them and sell data. After officers around the country and state were arrested on suspicion of tracking former partners, Wandersee expects statewide safeguards might come during Indiana General Assembly’s 2027 session.

Millsaps sees officer logins, and he said they must use relevant case numbers to search records.

Wandersee argued that Flock helps protect police officers so they know if someone with an active felony warrant comes into town, and it finds vulnerable people such as children and older adults. He recalled Flock helping find an Indiana driver with dementia who was returned home safely.

The potential to save someone’s life is “invaluable,” Wandersee said.

Councilor Jack Bodiker said it’s unfortunate that a few bad actors have drawn concerns about Flock because many devices can be used improperly.

Councilor Josh Tudor, who works nearby in law enforcement, said maintaining public trust is important.

“It’s a hot-button issue right now and it’s for the right reasons,” Tudor said. “The reasons we’re hearing about these individual officers is because of safeguards that are built in and they’re being discovered misusing this technology, and they should be punished.”

Rice awaits insurance’s decision about covering the approximately $3,000 cost; council unanimously approved the purchase.

Electric

Town Manager Kevin Slick received council’s permission to hire a firm at $132.60 per hour to check as many residential and commercial electric meters as possible. About $30,000 remains in the electric capital projects fund. Slick said many meters are aging and need recalibration or replacement. Old meters can run too slow and undercharge customers for electricity usage. Customers with newly accurate meters could see higher bills.

In other business

• Trick-or-treat will be 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31.
• Slick was to meet with Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives Oct. 1 about flood issues.
• Council approved two water project change orders. One was a $245,060.45 decrease because fewer lead lines were found. A rebuild for well houses increased $90,818.
• A $14,430 replacement of the water plant’s aging main flow meter was approved. It’s leaking and impossible to repair, Slick said. Service won’t be interrupted.
• Council approved a resolution authorizing land acquisition related to an upcoming sewer project, possibly through a donation.
• Plan commission meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 in town hall. The public is invited.