City of Decorah eyeing franchise fees for local utilities

The City of Decorah is considering imposing franchise fees for Alliant Energy and Black Hills Energy--fees that could be passed along to the consumer.

The Decorah City Council has approved a statement setting forth how the revenues from the franchise fees would be used.  The statement says the money will go towards projects within the right-of-way of streets and highways or programs that serve the general purpose of the city.

City officials say the new utility franchise fees would be a "diversification of revenue" for the city government, allowing it to depend less on property tax revenues.

A hearing has been scheduled during the Monday, November 7th Decorah City Council meeting on an amendment to the franchise fee ordinance.