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Covington introduces EZ Fiber franchise; company pledges resident notifications and coordination
Summary
Council introduced a nonexclusive franchise agreement for EZ Fiber Texas LLC to build a phased full-fiber network in Covington; EZ Fiber said it uses a six-step resident notification process and city staff said many suggested protections are already covered by right-of-way permits and design standards.
Covington city staff introduced a proposed nonexclusive telecommunications franchise with EZ Fiber Texas LLC on Nov. 25 and said the agreement would establish baseline expectations for construction, restoration, safety and coordination across the city’s rights of way.
Selena, the city staff lead on franchise agreements, said franchises provide predictability and allow the city to evaluate cumulative impacts of large-scale builds rather than assessing projects one permit at a time. “When a project is this expansive and this large, it is really a preferred option that we kind of look at this more as an overarching project and having some baseline requirements in place,” Selena said.
Austin Christofferson, who oversees government affairs for EZ Fiber, told the council the company is based locally and has a six-step construction notification program for residents that includes mailers, door hangers and on-site signage with a construction phone number and QR code. “We do have a 6 step construction, notification process for residents,” Austin said, adding the company is prepared to coordinate schedules and tap into systems to provide service to city facilities when feasible.
Resident Andrew Bartz had earlier asked council to consider specific contract-language items—including anti-skid manhole covers, weed/blackberry control, signage standards, outage reporting maps, restoration priorities for life‑safety customers, residential construction notice periods, and clarifications about asset ownership between Lumen and EZ Fiber. Selena said many of the requested protections are already included in the city’s right‑of‑way permit requirements and design standards; she said staff would circle back with counsel and EZ Fiber to follow up on outage information and a gap assessment.
Selena told council that a franchise does not guarantee buildout; market conditions and the provider’s business decisions determine where and when service will be built. She said if the council has no substantive changes, the franchise would return on the consent agenda for the December meeting.
What happens next: Staff will perform a gap assessment with counsel and return the franchise for potential placement on the Dec. consent agenda if no substantive changes are required.
