Clark County introduced an ordinance to amend county code to permit franchise agreements for broadband-only providers and require a business license for such operations, following a change in state law this year that allows counties to engage broadband-only firms.

Mike Harwell of the Business License Department explained the change addresses a prior gap under state law that limited county fees for telecom companies to 5% of intrastate telecom revenue — a measure that produced no fee from broadband-only providers because those firms do not report intrastate telecom revenue. "This bill that was adopted earlier this year allows the county to enter into franchise agreements with broadband only companies...and allows us to charge a fee of up to 2% of gross revenue," Harwell said.

Cox Communications, represented by Craig Stevens, commended staff and the board for pursuing parity in rights-of-way access and ensuring fair competition: "Cox has always been proud to pay our fair share and this ordinance will ensure others will do the same." Staff said outreach letters were published and one comment was received from GigaPower, which raised concerns that the 2% might be interpreted as covering other public-works fees; staff clarified that the 2% applies to use of rights-of-way while other public-works fees (lane closures, construction impacts) are separate.

Commissioner discussion stressed careful policy design and clarity on penalties for damage to rights-of-way. The ordinance was introduced and a public hearing was set for Nov. 18, 2025.

Next steps: staff will prepare the business impact statement and take the ordinance to a public hearing with opportunities for further comment and fiscal detail.