Friday, February 27, 2026 |
Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Unexpected permitting fees and delays may hinder companies from installing fiber‑optic internet in Rawlins.
In January, the Rawlins City Council approved franchise agreements for two communications companies: Visionary Communications and All West Wyoming. Both providers plan to install new fiber‑optic lines in the city, giving residents additional options for high‑speed internet.
The franchise agreements give the companies authority to install new underground utilities in the public rights‑of‑way. In return, the city receives compensation for ensuring that the work is done properly.
Per state statute, all franchise agreements must be approved three times during three separate public meetings. Both Visionary and All West were set for final approval at the February 17th Rawlins City Council meeting. However, before the agreements could be passed, the governing body was presented with a resolution to change rights‑of‑way permit costs. Under the amended fee schedule, franchise holders would be required to pay $325 for every 350 feet of subsurface work done in the public right-of-way.
Mayor Jacquelin Wells opened the floor for public comment. Visionary Broadband Chief Executive Officer Brian Worthen suggested meeting with other franchise holders, including All West Wyoming, Rocky Mountain Power, and Black Hills Energy, before approving the new fees. Worthen said his company is prepared to pay for access to the rights‑of‑way but added that the proposed increases may force Visionary Communications to scale back construction, leaving some residents without fiber‑optic service.
Worthen said Visionary Communications is prepared to spend $2,000 per home to bring fiber‑optic internet to Rawlins and asked the governing body not to delay approval of the franchise agreement while it debates the permit fees.
All West Communications Government Relations Director Marty Carollo questioned how the city arrived at the proposed fees, saying that other municipalities typically charge between 17 and 25 cents per foot, not a dollar as proposed in the resolution. Carollo said permitting fees must, by law, cover the cost of city staff to oversee the work, not make money.
Mayor Wells closed the public comment period and moved on to the next agenda item. Later in the meeting, the governing body voted to table the final reading of the Visionary Communications and All West Wyoming franchise agreements until the resolution amending the right‑of‑way fee schedule is approved.
When the resolution was brought up for a vote, Public Works Director Cody Dill explained the new permitting costs. Dill said that during a recent water main break, city crews damaged an underground communications line, which cost $7,500 to repair. The public works director said the amended fee structure is intended to compensate the city for any potential future damages.
Dill added that under the new fee schedule, most subsurface utility installation costs would fall below $10,000.
Mayor Wells asked City Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave if she consulted other municipalities before drafting the resolution. Attorney Maberry‑Nave said cities across the United States have adopted similar measures. She added that city staff are heavily burdened by subsurface utility work and the new fees are designed to address those demands.
Mayor Wells asked if any other Wyoming municipalities have similar permit fees in place. Attorney Maberry‑Nave said she believed Rawlins would be the first, adding that other towns are waiting for the city to set a precedent before potentially following suit.
Next, Councilman Steve Sanger asked what the communications companies paid to install subsurface utilities in other Wyoming communities, saying the proposed fees may prevent them from operating in Rawlins. Attorney Maberry‑Nave said prices ranged between $150 and $750 per city block and reiterated that the proposed fees are simply meant to recoup the city’s costs to oversee the communications companies’ work.
Councilman Sanger recommended meeting with the franchise applicants before approving the new right-of-way permit fees.
Vice Mayor Darril Garner agreed that city officials should meet with franchise holders and applicants before approving the fee resolution. Vice Mayor Garner said the communications companies are ready to begin construction and it would be inappropriate to approve an unexpected price increase at this time.
Instead of a high permit fee, Councilwoman Tonya Lewman suggested adding a rule requiring the franchise holder to pay for any damages they cause while installing underground utilities. All West Communications Government Relations Director Marty Carollo said the existing agreement already requires all franchise holders to be fully insured and bonded against accidental damage.
Vice Mayor Garner asked the communications companies if delaying their franchise agreements would affect their construction schedules. Visionary Broadband CEO Brian Worthen replied in the affirmative, adding that his company is at a standstill until the agreement is approved.
Worthen said the city stands to benefit from expanded access to fiber‑optic internet, which could help attract new businesses and encourage young people to stay. The Visionary Broadband CEO expressed frustration that the governing body is requiring franchise applicants to wait while it decides on the new right‑of‑way permit fees.
Mayor Wells acknowledged the positive impact fiber‑optic internet will have on the city and considered holding a special meeting to address the franchise agreements separately from the amended fee schedule. However, the mayor expressed concern that a special meeting would put undue pressure on city staff. Instead, the governing body agreed to revisit the franchise agreement during its next regularly scheduled meeting on March 3rd. In the meantime, city staff will begin reaching out to franchise holders and applicants to arrange a meeting to discuss future right‑of‑way permit fees.
