Kent council approves resolution allowing alternative street‑cut permit fees for new fiber installation methods

Kent — The Kent City Council adopted Resolution No. 2087 on May 6, giving the chief administrative officer discretion to apply alternative permit fees for some street‑cut and shoulder‑boring work used by fiber providers.

Staff member Matt Gilbert told the Committee that new fiber companies are using different construction methods that typically bore under soft surfaces, sidewalks and shoulders rather than open a long trench through paved roadway. "That means less work for everybody. So we want the ability to charge less money because of that," Gilbert said, summarizing the staff rationale.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said the current fee structure was built around traditional street cuts and associated inspection and restoration work. Gilbert said the change would let the…