Members of the Taylor Town Council agreed last week to place renewal of the 25-year franchise agreement with Arizona Public Service Co. on the town’s March 2017 ballot.
Kendra Lee of APS Franchises and Technical Services made a presentation to council members Nov. 3, asking them to consider approval of Resolution R2016-09, to renew the franchise agreement and proceed for the measure to be placed on the March 14, 2017, election ballot.
Lee explained that APS serves 11 of 15 counties in Arizona, 50 municipalities and 34,645 square miles, which are home to 1.2 million customers or users with more than 425 substations.
The franchise establishes public rights-of-way that are owned by the public for public utilities, but are held in trust by the local governments, who are charged with control and regulation of the rights-of-way.
Lee noted that franchises grant utilities permission to use the public rights-of-way. “It’s where utilities should be,” she said, adding that utilities must comply with local regulations.
She said that the utilities franchise is not to exceed 25 years, and that the public service corporation is granted a care of convenience and necessity, which gives them jurisdiction over tariffs. Each entity has a uniform tariff of two percent for municipalities.
The franchise outlines requirements of restoration of the right-of-way. If a street is torn up to meet a utility’s needs, it must be restored to town standards.
APS will pay the costs of a special election ballot scheduled for March 14, 2017, newspaper public legal posting and its pro rata share of election costs. APS will provide campaign material as required.
“The APS franchise agreement is beneficial to the Town of Taylor,” said Lee, noting that the franchise defines APS’s use of public rights-of-way. “APS values our long-standing partnership with Taylor.”
Councilman Jason Brubaker moved to approve Resolution 2016-09, Intent to renew Arizona Public Service Franchise Agreement, and proceed to place the matter on the March 14, 2017, election ballot. The motion passed unanimously.
