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What is a utility franchise agreement?
It is an agreement that allows a utility to place its facilities - pipes, poles, etc. - in a jurisdiction's roadway right of way.
Pierce County owns, operates and maintains a portion of its sanitary sewer system under Lakewood's city streets.
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On July 26, 2011 the Pierce County Council authorized a 20-year franchise agreement for sewer utility services between the county and the City of Lakewood (County Ordinance No. 2011-33).
The Lakewood City Council approved a similar ordinance on March 7, 2011 (City Ordinance No. 529).
Pierce County and the City of Lakewood negotiated the terms of the new agreement so it is beneficial to both parties.
The city agreed not to form its own sewer utility or to assume control over the county's sewer system. In return, the county agreed to pay the city a fee to allow its sewer facilities to be placed within the city's right of way.
Pierce County will continue to be the city's sewer utility for the next 20 years and will not have to pay the utility relocation costs or permit fees that are typically required of utility companies.
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