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Commissioners approve nonexclusive franchise allowing Inland Telephone in county right-of-way
Summary
On Jan. 20, 2026, the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners approved a nonexclusive franchise agreement allowing Inland Telephone to place telecommunications facilities in the county right-of-way; the franchise sets requirements but does not replace required right-of-way permits.
The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 approved a nonexclusive franchise agreement that allows Inland Telephone to place telecommunications facilities in the county right-of-way.
Josh Frederickson, Public Works, described the agreement during a public hearing and said the franchise sets the county’s requirements for such installations. “This is a franchise agreement to be in the right of way for telecommunications facilities, with Inland, Telephone,” he said. Frederickson said the franchise is nonexclusive and that separate right-of-way permits remain required for any construction or work in the road.
The board clarified that the franchise ordinance itself does not impose a separate franchise fee for access to the right-of-way; companies must still obtain and pay for applicable right-of-way permits from Public Works. The transcript records a citation to a Washington statute (listed in the hearing as “RCW 365504O”).
A commissioner moved to approve the franchise as presented and the board recorded an affirmative vote. The motion carried; the transcript records voices saying "Aye" but does not include a full roll-call tally in the record.
The hearing concluded with the board moving to the next agenda item.
