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What is a Franchise Agreement?

A franchise agreement is a legal agreement between two parties. Many cities, including Albany, use franchise agreements for companies that want access the City's public right-of-way:

City

Franchisee
  • Receives fees from franchisees
  • Responsible for reviewing and approving franchise agreements (City Council)
  • Allowed to use the public right-of-way
  • Responsible for providing service, customer support, and billing for their company's services
  • Allowed by state and/or federal law to pass a portion of their franchise fees along to their customers, if they choose

Where do I find these agreements?

City franchise agreements are part of Albany Municipal Code, Title 3 - Revenue and Finance. While the City does not have a franchise agreement with NW Natural, we receive revenues from them as a “gas utility tax” under Albany Municipal Code 5.36.

Current franchise agreements:

Communications

  • Advanced Telecom, Inc.
  • Astound Broadband, LLC
  • AT&T
  • CenturyLink (formerly Qwest)
  • Comcast
  • PEAK Internet (as Casco Communications, Inc.)
  • Lightspeed (LS) Networks
  • T-Mobile (previously MCI)
  • Ziply Fiber

Electricity

  • Consumers Power
  • Pacific Power

Transportation

  • BNSF Railway

Waste Disposal

  • Republic Services

 

Questions? 

If you have questions regarding City franchise agreements:

Details

 

The City of Albany has won the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award since 1991. In order to receive this award, a governmental unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan, and as a communication device. The award is valid for a period of one year only.

Finance

 541-917-7500
 333 Broadalbin SW (1st floor)
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