Council approves Swift Fiber franchise and pole‑use agreement with annual attachment fee

The Natchitoches City Council voted May 11 to approve a franchise agreement and a joint‑use pole attachment agreement with Swift Fiber.

Ordinance 15 grants Swift Fiber the right to construct, lease and operate fiber‑optic transmission cable within the city’s right‑of‑way. Jason Williams, vice president of construction for Swift, told the council the company won an E‑Rate grant to serve all parish schools and prefers aerial, pole‑attachment construction rather than trenching in the city’s historic district. “It’s a lot less invasive to the community and it’s a lot faster process,” Williams said.

The companion Ordinance 16 authorizes joint use of existing poles and establishes an annual pole‑attachment fee of $22.97 per attachment, with escalation tied to an industry index. Officials said an initial count identified about 132 potential attachment locations; the city’s utility office will do a final inventory and any new attachments must be coordinated through the utility office.

Council and staff discussed pole condition, loading tests and the city’s plan to replace aging poles as part of upcoming budgets. Staff clarified the franchise includes a 5% franchise fee on gross receipts payable to the city and that separate franchise agreements are required for other companies.

Both ordinances were adopted by roll call; council members recorded yes votes. Staff will publish required franchise notices and coordinate final pole counts and permitting.

Next steps: Final pole count and execution of franchise documents; staff to monitor compliance and administer the annual attachment fees.