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Council approves 10‑year nonexclusive franchise with Central Electric Cooperative; fee raised to 7%
Summary
The council approved Ordinance 2025‑01 granting a nonexclusive 10‑year franchise to Central Electric Cooperative, increasing the franchise fee from 5% to 7% and raising estimated annual revenue by about $90,000. The ordinance repeals Ordinance 2007‑02.
Valerie Taylor, the city’s billing and collections manager, presented an ordinance to renew a nonexclusive franchise agreement with Central Electric Cooperative and align the agreement with recent changes made to other power providers’ franchise terms. Taylor said the agreement updates relocation and mapping provisions, addresses underground conversion for wildfire and aesthetic projects, and standardizes mapping requirements for infrastructure projects. “This agreement is going to bring them up to the 7%,” Taylor said, referring to the franchise fee.
The ordinance replaces the prior franchise ordinance (2007‑02) and extends a nonexclusive term of ten years with auto‑renewal periods. Taylor told council the fee change will increase annual franchise revenue by about $90,000 compared with the prior fee level.
Council action: The council first approved a motion to read the ordinance by title only and then voted on approval. City clerk roll call recorded the vote as: Councilor Evelyn — yes; Mayor Fitch — yes; Councilor Nielsen — yes; Councilor Osborne — yes; Councilor Wedding — yes; Councilor Zwicker — yes. The ordinance passed with unanimous support; council did not amend the ordinance and no additional conditions were attached.
Ending: The ordinance will be codified as Ordinance 2025‑01 and the earlier ordinance 2007‑02 will be repealed as part of the action. Staff noted the city may amend or renegotiate terms in the future if needed.
