BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
An attempt to renew the discussion about electrical franchise fees was quick and indecisive last week.
Bradford County Commissioner Carolyn Spooner, who asked for the discussion to be added to the Jan. 16 agenda, said the board should be looking at ways to generate additional revenue as they hold workshops on next year’s budget.
With only one of the two utilities serving unincorporated Bradford County residents willing to agree to a franchise fee, Chairman Danny Riddick and Commissioner Chris Dougherty didn’t want FPL customers to pay a fee that wasn’t charged to Clay Electric customers.
This is where prior discussion of franchise fees ended.
Spooner pointed out there are already some customers inside Starke who are served by those utilities and pay a 6% franchise fee while customers outside the city limits do not. That fee, approved by agreement between the city of Starke and both utilities, helps fund city government.
“We’re looking for ways in which we can generate additional revenue and so we should look at all of those means of possibility when we’re not asking an enormous amount of money, a few dollars per month per customer. So, I think it’s something to put back on the floor to consider for further discussion, because we have a willing entity, and that’s something that would help to enhance our revenue generation.”
Dougherty’s willingness to consider the fee depended on the willing participation of both electric providers. Riddick agreed but said they could talk about it further when the full board was present.
The budget workshop canceled earlier this month has been rescheduled for Jan. 28 at 5:30 p.m. Future budget workshop dates are March 4, April 1 and July 1. They will take place alongside the board’s regular 10:30 a.m. meetings.
