Case Study
City of Rome, Georgia:
Municipal Utility Bill Audit
Overview
The City of Rome, Georgia was introduced to Utility Management Services (UMS) through a trade association connection with John Boyd, Director of the City’s Water and Sewer Division. Recognizing the potential of a contingency-based utility bill audit to uncover hidden savings without any upfront cost or risk, John moved forward with a brief 30-minute meeting where UMS explained the audit scope, methodology, and expected outcomes.
With approval from City leadership, John worked with UMS to identify over $63,000 in annual savings for the Water Department alone; with no upfront cost and no internal resources required from the City.
Encouraged by those results, John introduced UMS to Becky Smyth, the City’s Purchasing Director. Recognizing the potential for broader municipal cost savings, Becky facilitated a similar agreement covering Rome’s remaining electric accounts. UMS conducted that audit with minimal input required from City staff and identified another $52,000 in annual savings, bringing the City of Rome’s total identified savings to over $115,000 annually.
The Facts
- The City of Rome, Georgia partnered with UMS through a trade association introduction from John Boyd, Director of the Water and Sewer Division
- UMS conducted a risk-free, contingency-based audit requiring only a brief 30-minute scoping meeting and minimal staff involvement
- The Water Department audit alone identified over $63,000 in annual savings
- A second audit of the City's remaining electric accounts, facilitated by Purchasing Director Becky Smyth, added another $52,000 in annual savings
- Total identified savings citywide: over $115,000 annually, at $0 upfront cost to the City