Alliant Energy says: "We hope the City of Decorah approves a franchise agreement promptly"

The Decorah City Council Monday night will discuss a draft copy of a proposed electric utility franchise agreement with Alliant Energy.

The discussion comes as Alliant energy has released a statement in response to last week's City of Decorah Utilities Committee meeting about the wording of the agreement.

Says the Alliant statement, "Getting a franchise in place is critical to maintaining customer costs. We started working with the city in the spring of 2019 on this and we are encouraged by the council's recent conversation. We are awaiting the city's edits so we can quickly review the language and respond."

The statement continues, "Locust Road is just one reason a franchise agreement is so important. With a franchise agreement in place, the cost to move electric lines will be covered by Alliant Energy; without a franchise agreement, the invoices will be forwarded to the city for payment." 

The statement points out that if a franchise fee is imposed, it would be collected by Alliant Energy, but paid by all utility customers.  Alliant Energy would collect the funds through utility bills and then transfer those funds to the city.