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Communications staff propose new Chapter 22 to preserve county right-of-way authority as cable franchises shift to state regime
Summary
Communications presented a new Chapter 22 that transfers local franchise terms into county code as cable providers move under a state franchise regime. Staff said the change preserves existing county rights over county right-of-way and keeps franchise-fee revenue flowing to the county's unincorporated jurisdiction.
Communications staff proposed a new Chapter 22 to consolidate local franchise provisions into the county code after the county's dominant cable provider moved to a state franchise. Ross Kavett said the new chapter mirrors the protections in the old local franchise and affirms the county's authority over the right-of-way while continuing to receive cable franchise fees for unincorporated areas.
Kavett said cable-franchise fees have declined from about $7.8 million per year when he arrived to roughly $4.7 million today and that fees are expected to keep falling as cable subscriptions shrink. He said the chapter does not expand the county's fee rights beyond what state law permits but consolidates county expectations for providers operating in the right-of-way.
Commissioners asked how franchise-fee revenue is shared with municipalities; communications staff said fees are collected for unincorporated areas and cities may collect fees under their own arrangements where state law permits. Staff said any additional fee authorities would require legislative change.
