Cowlitz County pauses hearing on proposed Ziply Fiber franchise, sets April 14 continuation

Cowlitz County commissioners opened a public hearing on a proposed 10‑year, non‑exclusive telecommunications franchise with Ziply Fiber Northwest, then voted to recess the matter to April 14 to give the company additional time to review and respond to the county's standard franchise terms.

County engineer Susan Eugenas described the franchise as the county’s standard telecommunications agreement, requiring Ziply to follow the county’s public‑works utility accommodation policy, coordinate with existing utilities, and, in most cases, relocate facilities at no expense to the county when county projects require it. She said the franchise is countywide because Ziply had not specified a defined geographic scope in its initial request.

County counsel Doug (staff) told the board that state statute permits the board to continue or recess the hearing and recommended carrying the matter to April 14 at 9:30 a.m. so Ziply representatives could present formal comments. “I would go ahead and open it up for public comment… and then I would adjourn the matter until April 14,” Doug said during the session.

During public comment, residents and business advocates asked whether Ziply already operates nearby, what direct benefits the county would receive, how the 811 locate process would work with additional facilities in the right‑of‑way, and how a franchise transfer would be handled if Ziply were acquired or left the market. Staff explained that utilities are included in the state 811 locate system and that franchises include procedures for transfer or removal of facilities.

After the public comment period, the board moved and voted to recess/table the hearing to April 14 at 9:30 a.m. No substantive franchise terms were adopted at the session; the hearing will reconvene with Ziply representatives expected to present.