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La Center approves five-year franchise with TDS Telecom
Summary
La Center adopted Ordinance 2024-11, renewing a five-year, nonexclusive franchise agreement with TDS Telecom; council said the contract includes standard termination and appeal language and there is no immediate budget impact.
La Center’s City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2024-11 on Nov. 20, 2024, approving a five-year, nonexclusive franchise agreement with TDS Telecom. The council's roll-call vote was recorded as all members approving the ordinance.
City attorney Janine Parker presented the ordinance and told the council the renewal contains no substantive changes from the prior agreement and carries no additional budgetary impact. “This is a five-year renewal,” Parker said, “there aren’t any particular substantive changes to the agreement from prior years. There is no different budgetary impact.”
During council questioning, members asked whether the city could terminate the franchise midterm. Parker pointed to default and abandonment sections and said the agreement includes a breach/default process and an appeal procedure; council action on termination would be final following the appeal process. A caller during the public hearing, Kimberly, urged that telecommunications be used for “transparency” and emergency notices in future crises.
The ordinance directs the mayor to execute the approved agreement and maintains a local contact for TDS within the city. The council did not describe any immediate budgetary changes tied to this franchise; routine oversight and the contract renewal will return to staff if questions or alleged breaches arise.
