Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Franchise topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Broken Bow council adopts franchise fee and grants gas franchise to Black Hills Energy
Summary
The City of Broken Bow adopted Ordinance 1305 to establish a franchise fee on energy providers and Ordinance 1306 granting Black Hills Nebraska Gas (d/b/a Black Hills Energy) a natural gas franchise; both passed unanimously after brief hearings.
Broken Bow — The City of Broken Bow City Council adopted two ordinances Tuesday that together create a franchise fee for energy providers and grant a natural gas franchise to Black Hills Nebraska Gas, d/b/a Black Hills Energy.
Mayor Rod Sonnichsen introduced Ordinance 1305, described in council paperwork as “Establishing a Franchise Fee on Energy Providers Operating in the City of Broken Bow, Nebraska,” and opened a public hearing. City Administrator David Schmidt said the franchise arrangement with Black Hills Energy will allow the city’s natural gas needs to be met and that the therm rate remained unchanged. "Franchising this service to Black Hills Energy allows the natural gas needs of Broken Bow to be met," Schmidt said.
After a brief hearing that closed at 6:20 p.m., Councilmember Russ Smith moved to suspend the statutory three-reading requirement and then moved for final passage. The motion carried on a roll call vote with Smith, Travis Kleeb, Joe Wamsley and Paul Holland voting aye; there were no nays.
The council then considered Ordinance 1306, which grants Black Hills Nebraska Gas, LLC (d/b/a Black Hills Energy) the authority "to construct, operate, maintain, and extend a natural gas distribution plant and system" and to use public ways. The council opened and closed the public hearing, suspended the three-reading rule and adopted the ordinance by the same unanimous vote.
Both ordinances were adopted under the expedited procedure used when the council suspends the statutory requirement for reading ordinances on three separate days. The council record shows no public opposition during the hearings and notes that the therm rate would not change under the franchise arrangement, according to Administrator Schmidt.
The ordinances take effect as published in accordance with city procedures; the council did not specify other implementation steps during the meeting.
The council also handled other business at the March 24 meeting, including approval of the consent agenda and an appointment to the Airport Authority.
