Huntsville Council renews 20-year franchise with Rocky Mountain Power

The Huntsville Town Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-02-06 on Feb. 6, renewing a franchise agreement with Rocky Mountain Power for a 20-year term.

Kirk Nigro, Rocky Mountain Power’s representative at the meeting, described the agreement as a land-use franchise that sets out rights and responsibilities for use of the public right-of-way. "The franchise agreement between Rocky Mountain and Huntsville Town is a land use agreement," Nigro said, adding that the utility will work with the town on relocation costs and has been conducting work in the valley to mitigate fire risk, including burying some lines.

The ordinance outlines the scope of permitted installations — poles, conduits, transformers and related equipment — and preserves the town’s ability to adopt ordinances to protect health and safety. Council members said they saw the contract as clarifying long-term responsibilities when public-ways work is required. The motion passed on a roll-call vote recorded by the clerk.

The ordinance takes effect on mayoral approval and posting, and the agreement requires Rocky Mountain Power to file a written acceptance within 60 days of passage. Council members said they welcomed the section describing the utility’s obligation to coordinate relocations and reimbursements when public works require utility moves.

The council did not debate rates or franchise fees at the meeting; the vote addressed the franchise/land-use agreement itself and its operational terms.