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Germantown advances change to telecom construction permit fees to final reading
Summary
The Germantown Board moved ordinance 2025‑9 forward to a third and final reading after a staff presentation that recommended resolving a conflict between the city codeand the revenue resolution so permit fees for telecommunications can be set by resolution.
Germantown, Tenn. — On Nov. 24, 2025, the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to advance ordinance 2025‑9, an amendment to Chapter 19 that would change how the city sets construction permit fees for telecommunications installations, to a third and final reading.
Engineer Allen told the board the amendment responds to a conflict between the current ordinance and an adopted revenue resolution. "A review of the city's telecommunications ordinance revealed discrepancies in construction permit fee models for fiber optic installations between the city code and the adopted resolution on revenues," Allen said, noting the code sets a fee equal to 1% of estimated construction cost while resolution 23R01 (adopted in 2023) sets a base fee plus a linear‑foot charge. He said the amendment would "eliminate the cost based fee calculation and instead authorizes the applicable permit fees to be set by resolution as part of the city's comprehensive resolution on revenues," which staff expects will simplify administration and allow periodic adjustments.
Mayor opened a public hearing on the proposal; no residents spoke after three calls. Alderman Salvaggio moved to approve the ordinance on second reading and the motion was seconded by the vice mayor. Alderman Sherry Hicks voiced support and said expanding Internet options is a community priority, suggesting staff conversations or a study session to explore ways to support more Internet options locally.
The clerk recorded affirmative roll call votes and the board advanced ordinance 2025‑9 to a third and final reading. No amendments were offered at the meeting. The board will consider the final reading at a future meeting; the ordinance, if adopted, will authorize the city to determine telecommunications construction permit fees by resolution rather than by a percent of estimated construction cost.
Provenance: the ordinance presentation and discussion are recorded in the meeting transcript beginning with Engineer Allen's presentation and the subsequent motion and roll call (topic introduction and finish).
