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Council advances second reading of electric franchise increase to fund staffing plan
Summary
Council approved the second reading of Ordinance 1129 to increase the electric franchise fee; staff said revenue would support the city's five-year staffing plan, particularly public safety positions. Councilors requested the staffing plan be attached to the record and heard public comment opposing fee increases.
The Johnston City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance 1129, advancing a proposal to increase the electric franchise fee charged by MidAmerican Energy from 1% to 5% to help fund positions outlined in the city's five-year staffing plan.
City staff said the proposal is intended to support public-safety staffing needs identified in the staffing plan. Staff described the city as lean relative to peers (6.36 full-time equivalents per 1,000 population vs. a cited peer average of 7.39) and said the five-year plan adds positions, including public-safety roles. During the presentation staff stated a revenue projection of "$1,100,000,000 per year"; the council requested the staffing-plan document be added to the record for clarity — staff later confirmed the five-year staffing plan was attached to the meeting record.
During public comment a resident urged the council to prioritize spending and to reject franchise-fee increases, saying fee and tax increases were creating strain for households on fixed incomes. Council members responded that staff is reviewing potential efficiencies and noted shared services (for example, a joint fire department with Grimes) that produce savings. The mayor and council reiterated the priority of public safety but also said they are seeking budget efficiencies.
Council approved the second reading and deferred third reading and final adoption to a later meeting. No final rate change was adopted at this meeting.
