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Janesville approves Midco franchise ordinance to expand fiber after staff flags locate workload
Summary
The Janesville City Council approved Ordinance 2025H, authorizing a franchise with Midco to expand fiber across the city. Supporters said the plan will boost service to schools and other anchor institutions; public-works staff warned the city may need contractor help to handle utility locates.
The Janesville City Council approved Ordinance 2025H on a voice vote after a public hearing and brief discussion about construction impacts.
At the public hearing, De Malter, identified by a council member as a Wasika County commissioner, told the council she strongly supports the ordinance and urged the city to ensure anchor institutions — including schools, the library and city hall — are served. “Good, strong, reliable, affordable internet ... is a basis for economic development,” she said.
Public Works Director Joe Zimpy told the council the main staff concern is the expected volume of utility locates required when the company performs wide-area fiber installs. “The only concern staff-wise that we have would be volume of locates ... we’re not really staffed to do that,” Zimpy said, recommending the council negotiate permitting terms that would allow Midco to contract a third-party locator at Midco’s expense.
Council discussion also noted the company had discussed daily installation footage; staff said the contractor initially planned longer days but offered to reduce daily footage (from about 1,500 feet to roughly 750 feet), and that the company would notify residents in advance of work on individual streets. Council and staff agreed to press the company on permitting details, notifications and an anchor-institution outreach plan.
After the hearing, a motion to approve Ordinance 2025H carried; the council then proceeded to the consent agenda. The ordinance authorizes the city to enter a franchise agreement with Midco to extend fiber service citywide. The council did not record a roll-call tally in the minutes beyond the affirmative voice vote.
The council’s action opens the way for Midco to begin the permitting and scheduling process in Janesville, subject to negotiated requirements on locates, resident notifications and right-of-way work.
The council moved on to routine business after the vote; a final implementation timeline and any permit terms will be developed by staff in discussions with the company.
