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Trussville approves Brightspeed franchise agreement over objection from one council member
Summary
On second reading the council adopted Ordinance No. 2026-012-ADM granting Brightspeed a non-exclusive franchise for city right-of-way, passing 4–1 after a failed motion to table the ordinance so the city could complete its master plan.
The council adopted Ordinance No. 2026-012-ADM on second reading to grant a non-exclusive franchise agreement to Brightspeed of Alabama, Inc., authorizing company use of city right-of-way under terms similar to other local fiber agreements.
Council Member Jim Miller moved to table the ordinance until the city's master plan was complete, arguing Trussville should evaluate long-term strategic advantages before granting franchises. "Wants to wait to sign the agreement until the master plan is finished to see if there is a longer term advantage as a City (monetarily)," Miller said. His motion to table was not seconded and failed. The ordinance was adopted on a vote of 4–1, with Miller the sole dissenting vote.
Supporters said the franchise mirrors agreements in other municipalities and could facilitate private fiber deployment in the city's right-of-way. Council President Pro Tempore Brian Jackson said he had discussed the approach with other utility leaders and cautioned that municipal deployment carries legal restrictions. Mayor Ben Short asked the council to leave the item on the agenda for consideration and the ordinance was subsequently adopted.
