Brownwood council approves Oncor electric franchise ordinance on first reading

Mayor Stephen E. Haynes said the Oncor electric franchise ordinance, which had been tabled at the previous meeting because of its 20-year term, had been fully reviewed by staff and compared with agreements from other cities. After the ordinance was read aloud, Councilmember Draco A. Miller moved to approve the ordinance on first reading; Councilmember HD Jones seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The ordinance grants Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, its successors and assigns, an electric power franchise to use present and future streets, alleys, highways, public utility easements and other public property of the City of Brownwood for the purpose of delivering electricity. The ordinance text states it provides for compensation, an effective date and term of the franchise and requires written acceptance by the grantee. The city will publish the full ordinance in the newspaper as required by the City Charter; after publication and 20 days it will return to council for consideration on second and third/final readings.

Council did not record amendments or dissent during the first-reading vote. The first-reading approval allows staff to proceed with the publication step and schedule subsequent readings; final adoption will occur only after second and third readings as required by the ordinance process.