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Bartlesville council adopts nonexclusive Cox franchise to reach underserved rural addresses
Summary
The Bartlesville City Council on Dec. 1 adopted an ordinance granting Cox Communications a nonexclusive franchise to use city rights‑of‑way to expand broadband to underserved rural locations; Cox said the rollout is linked to state and federal grants and will not change existing permitting requirements for installations in the city.
Connor Carroll, government‑affairs manager for Cox Communications, told the Bartlesville City Council that Cox will use state and federal rural‑broadband funds to extend service to unserved and underserved households in Washington County.
"We received about a $29,000,000 grant between the first two rounds of funding that'll bring broadband to about 4,000 un‑ and underserved houses in Washington County," Carroll said, and described the franchise as the legal mechanism that lets Cox enter municipal rights‑of‑way to build network infrastructure.
City staff and council members asked about installation standards and how contractors would restore yards and public areas after work. Councilman East said residents had complained about past installations left unfinished, and Carroll responded that Cox will cooperate with the city on permitting and restoration and that project‑level construction crews would address defects.
The ordinance establishes a 5% franchise fee on video/gross revenues where applicable and requires Cox to follow the city's permitting and right‑of‑way rules. Carroll emphasized the franchise is nonexclusive and that providers who enter the right‑of‑way are subject to the same obligations.
The council moved to adopt the ordinance and voted to approve it. The ordinance authorizes Cox to operate under the city's franchise terms and to begin needed right‑of‑way work in the locations identified in the grant maps.
Council members said the agreement balances the city's control over public rights‑of‑way with the goal of closing rural service gaps. The ordinance passed on a council vote and the city will proceed with the franchise paperwork and permitting steps.
The franchise was presented during the council's regular meeting; staff and Cox officials said project maps and permit processes will guide where and how crews work in the city and in county areas outlined in the grant awards.
