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Bear River holds first reading of communications franchise for All West Wyoming
Summary
At a Feb. 10 town workshop the Bear River council held a first reading of an ordinance to grant a communications franchise to 'All West Wyoming.' Councilors and staff discussed a 1% franchise fee, a proposed one-time $5,000 access fee and a 15-year initial term with year-to-year renewal afterward; a resident raised easement concerns.
The Town of Bear River on Feb. 10 took the first reading of an ordinance that would grant a communications franchise to 'All West Wyoming' and its successors, the council announced at the start of the workshop.
Council members and staff described the proposed franchise as covering multiple services. An unidentified staff speaker said the agreement likely covers three components — internet, cable/TV and telephone — and noted that telephone service remains subject to a franchise tax. "We kept it at 1%, although most municipalities are 2%," that speaker said during the discussion of franchise fees.
Staff also said the draft includes a one-time $5,000 access fee intended to cover costs for allowing new infrastructure to use town rights-of-way. The council discussed contract length: the draft sets an initial 15-year term and then converts to year-to-year renewals, with speakers saying that outcome gives the town flexibility to renegotiate after the initial term.
Resident Jenny White spoke during public comment in opposition to the franchise, saying the company could "tear apart easements" and that the tradeoff of faster internet was not worth potential easement impacts.
No formal vote was recorded on the ordinance during the workshop; the item was presented as a first reading and will return for further consideration in follow-up meetings.
Provenance: topic introduced SEG 008; discussion and public comment concluded SEG 126.
