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Los Ranchos adopts franchise agreement with Easy Fiber; trustees note oversight and protest process
Summary
Trustees adopted Ordinance 301 to grant a franchise to Easy Fiber Texas LLC for work in the village right-of-way, while staff outlined permitting and inspection rules and trustees noted a 30-day period when qualified voters may protest to force a referendum.
The Village of Los Ranchos Board of Trustees adopted Ordinance 301 on April 15, granting a franchise agreement to Easy Fiber Texas LLC to operate in the public right-of-way.
No members of the public signed up to speak on the ordinance. Trustees discussed public-protest rights, construction oversight and how the village will use its excavation permitting authority. Staff described an excavation-permit process that requires insurance, mayoral consent before construction begins, and the ability for the mayor to set inspection fees. Trustees and staff said they plan to put regulations in place requiring as-built drawings and inspection protocols to ensure restoration of rights-of-way after trenching.
Trustees also noted news accounts of customer complaints in Albuquerque and said the village will pay attention to contractor conduct. Staff explained that if a sufficient number of qualified voters file protest petitions during the 30-day period after adoption, the franchise cannot become final without a referendum.
The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote (Trustees Benvitas, Kefir, Ranovich and Rhyno recorded as voting yes). The village will finalize inspection fees and regulatory procedures before issuance of excavation permits for the franchise.
What’s next: Staff will draft regulations and fee schedules tied to the franchise and monitor any protests filed during the 30-day period before the ordinance becomes final.
