Franklin council reviews draft to create Utilities Advisory Board

Mister Gillespie, presenting a draft prepared by the city attorney, told council members the resolution would create a seven-member Utilities Advisory Board to advise Franklin City Council and staff on municipal power, electric, water and sewer operations, including rates, reliability and financial performance. "City Council seeks to establish an advisory body to advise the Council on municipal utilities," he said.

Council members discussed how to structure membership and terms. Gillespie recommended staggered terms to avoid simultaneous turnover and proposed examples such as a mix of four-, three-, two- and one-year initial terms or two- and four-year classes. "The reason is so you don't have seven members all come in in 2026 and then exit at the same time," he said.

Members debated whether appointments should prioritize technical utility or business experience or instead reflect ordinary utility customers. One councilor argued ward-based selection—allowing each council member to nominate a resident from their ward—would ensure citizen representation. Another asked that, when appropriate, the advisory-board chair rather than a staff liaison deliver the board's recommendations to City Council so the council hears the board's positions directly.

Gillespie said the draft was adapted from models used in other Virginia localities, notably the City of Manassas, and asked for direction on staggering and qualifications so counsel could finalize language. Council members agreed to review the draft and have staff circulate it electronically; staff said the resolution could be returned for council consideration at the July 27 meeting.

The council did not take formal action on the resolution at the July 13 meeting; members asked staff for the draft, more information about staggered terms and a recommendation on whether the board should be staffed by a liaison or present directly to council.