City reviews contracts, finds revenue source
By Lori Mellinger Bullard Banner News

The City of Bullard has found an untapped source of revenue to help offset its operating fees.

"What really kicked this off was the staff's research of all franchise fees," said City Manager Larry Morgan. "We were doing this because of the recent budget process, helping the mayor and council assess all of our contracts."

What they found was that Cherokee County Co-op - an electricity provider for much of the area - was not paying franchise fees to the city.

The fees are, according to state law, paid by utility providers, including cable, telephone and utility companies to compensate the municipality for the use of public rights-of-way.

"Utility companies need easements within the city - whether it be above or underground," Morgan said. "It also helps offset any costs to the city by the providers for use of our infrastructure."

Morgan said he's been in contact with Bart Brower from the Co-op, and the council will soon negotiate an agreement with the company.

"We've not gotten far enough into the process to know how much the fee with be," Morgan said. "Right now we are assessing how many customers are served within the city limits, and the council will then take action."

Morgan said the discovery was due - in part - to many long and open-ended contracts entered into in the past.

"We're trying to go over all these things with a fine-toothed comb - hoping to save the tax- -payers money wherever possible," he said.

The next meeting of the council is at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, where it's expected the group will adopt the 2007-08 fiscal year budget and tax rate.

All meetings are open and the public is encouraged to

attend.

For more information, call

Bullard City Hall at 903-894- 7223.