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Tooele County tables 30‑year Lumen franchise renewal to seek franchise‑fee policy
Summary
County attorneys presented a negotiated 30‑year franchise renewal with Lumen (CenturyLink) that contains no franchise fee; the council voted to table the agreement so staff can amend the fee schedule and reopen negotiations.
Nathan Harris of the county attorney’s office presented a proposed 30‑year franchise renewal with Lumen (also referenced as Quest Corporation and CenturyLink) and recommended the council not accept the current agreement because the provider would not agree to a franchise fee.
"One of the things that this council has indicated in prior meetings is that you would like to see a franchise fee in all new franchise agreements moving forward," Harris told the council. He said the agreement before the council "does not have any franchise fee in it" and recommended tabling the item so the county can amend its fee schedule and then reopen negotiation with Lumen.
Councilman Thomas moved to table the franchise agreement; the motion was seconded by Councilman Hoffman and adopted by voice vote.
Why it matters: A franchise fee would create a recurring local revenue stream tied to right‑of‑way use. County attorneys said a revised fee schedule would allow negotiations to seek compensation for the use of county rights‑of‑way.
What’s next: Harris said he would prepare a fee‑schedule amendment and return with a revised negotiation position.
