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City says utility providers must reimburse Copperas Cove for damage; MetroNet works under state authorization, officials say
Summary
City manager said utility providers that damage water or wastewater lines must reimburse the city for materials and staff time; MetroNet is addressing private and public repairs and operates under state legislative authorization for right‑of‑way access.
At the Copperas Cove State of the City town hall, City Manager Ryan Averill said the city requires utility providers that damage public infrastructure to reimburse the city for materials and staff time.
“If a utility provider strikes a city waterline, a city wastewater collection line, or causes any other damage to public facilities, yes. Those utility providers must reimburse the city for not only the direct cost of the materials, but we bill them for our staff time as well,” Averill said during a town‑hall question about MetroNet utility work.
Averill and other officials said city crews coordinate with utility contractors, require pot‑holing and ground‑penetrating radar and meet regularly with MetroNet on projects. Averill told residents MetroNet has repaired both public and private interruptions when notified and that property owners should contact MetroNet directly for private‑service repairs.
A resident asked whether MetroNet works under a state contract. Averill said MetroNet does not operate under a city contract but under state legislative authorization giving telecommunications providers rights to use rights‑of‑way. He said that authorization allows providers to place facilities in public right‑of‑way but does not relieve them of repair obligations when they damage city infrastructure.
Where this stands: City staff said they coordinate nearly weekly with MetroNet on projects and will assist residents by providing MetroNet contact information, but they acknowledged some residents have reported frustration in dealing with the company.
Speakers and source material for this account came from the town‑hall Q&A and the city manager’s remarks.
