Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Franchise Election topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Coyle trustees discuss 25-year OG&E franchise, resolution to put measure to voters in June
Summary
Trustees reviewed an ordinance to grant Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company a 25-year franchise and discussed a companion resolution to call a special election run by the Logan County Election Board; the company would pay election costs and remit a 3% franchise fee, but the transcript does not record a formal vote.
Trustees of the Town of Coyle discussed an ordinance that would grant the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) the right to produce, transmit and distribute electricity within town limits for 25 years and considered a resolution to place the franchise question before local voters in June 2025.
The ordinance text presented to trustees would give OG&E “the right to construct, maintain, and operate a system of poles, wires and other facilities” within public rights-of-way and provide the town with a franchise fee set at 3% of gross revenues. The ordinance also says the company would pay the cost of a special election conducted by the Logan County Board of Election and that, if approved by voters, OG&E must file a written acceptance with the town clerk within 30 days.
“The OG&E … they will be covering the cost of that,” a staff member summarized during discussion. The staff member also said the ordinance contains an emergency clause so it would take effect immediately upon approval and publication.
Trustees and staff discussed how the ordinance interacts with existing town codes and the mechanics of using the county election board to administer the vote. A staff member described the package as including (1) the franchise ordinance, (2) an accompanying agreement with OG&E, and (3) a resolution calling for the special election through the county board. The transcript records the board’s consideration and a motion that emergency status be declared, but it does not record the result of any formal roll-call vote on the ordinance or resolution.
Key provisions included in the draft ordinance as read aloud in the meeting: a 25-year term, a 3% fee on gross revenues paid annually, a requirement that OG&E furnish annual statements of amounts charged, and an acceptance deadline of 30 days after voter approval. The ordinance text read in the meeting also states that any future higher franchise or excise fees imposed on the company would automatically increase the town’s share if applicable.
Trustees also discussed publication requirements and how the resolution and proclamation would be published if the board moved forward. One trustee noted the measure would be placed on a June ballot; staff answered that the ordinance would be filed and published in accordance with law and that the county would conduct the special election.
No final vote or adoption is recorded in the provided transcript. The board discussed the emergency clause and the administrative steps that would follow approval, but the transcript does not include a completed vote tally or formal outcome for the ordinance or the resolution.
