Garnett City Commissioners have agreed to an increase on the Franchise Fee it charges to EVERGY for delivery of electricity on city utility poles. That increase will will probably end up being paid by the East Kansas Agri Energy Ethanol Plant. The fee went from 5% to 6%. Commissioner Bridgette Brekheisen Huss voted against the increase, saying that it would only affect the Agri Energy Plant as they are the only local EVERGY customer which can be assessed a Franchise Fee.
The City charges a Franchise Fee to certain services, like cable television, internet and others for the use of city utility poles on which some service providers string their cabling. City Clerk, Travis Wilson, says the present 5% Franchise Fee, paid annually by EVERGY, amounts to about $80,000, and the 1% increase would generate about another $15,000 annually for the city. Right now, the plant gets most of its electricity from EVERGY, however, City Manager Chris Winer, says he is in talks with them about Garnett taking over their service.
