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Council adopts 20-year franchise with Encore Electric Delivery Company LLC; franchise revenue cited
Summary
The Waxahachie City Council adopted a 20-year franchise agreement with Encore Electric Delivery Company LLC that authorizes use of the public right-of-way and preserves the city’s franchise revenue stream (about $2.24 million last fiscal year); staff said the agreement is consistent with prior terms and was reviewed by the city attorney.
The City of Waxahachie adopted a 20-year electric franchise agreement with Encore Electric Delivery Company LLC after the ordinance’s second reading.
Dustin Dill, the city’s Director of Administrative Services, told the council the franchise renews the city's arrangement with Encore and authorizes the company to use public rights of way to operate and maintain electric infrastructure under standard municipal franchise provisions. Dill said the agreement had been reviewed by the city attorney and preserves the city’s franchise revenue stream, which brought in about $2,240,000 in the last fiscal year.
During discussion council members asked whether the ordinance granted exclusive rights; staff said it does not and that other utilities could potentially seek authority but would face separate regulatory processes (including the Public Utility Commission). A councilmember asked whether the city could secure an agreement to allow painting large transformer/meters; staff said that request might be beyond the current contract and would need separate consideration.
The council voted to adopt the franchise ordinance and authorized the mayor or city manager to execute the agreement. The ordinance will be published as required by the city charter and then become fully effective.
Why it matters: The franchise maintains a recurring revenue stream and clarifies the operational relationship with Encore Electric; it preserves municipal oversight of use of rights of way while not granting exclusivity.
What’s next: The ordinance will be published and become effective following the charter’s publication requirements. Any requests to modify the franchise (e.g., painting utility boxes) will require further negotiation or separate agreement.
