Utility Franchise Renewals (Connexus and Xcel Energy)
Summary
The city is proposing new franchise fees on Connexus, Xcel, CenterPoint and Centennial Utilities that would show up on your utility bills. Staff project $5-6 million a year, mostly for road paving, and say the median homeowner would pay less this way than through a property tax increase. Public hearings continue August 17 with final votes expected September 9.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 19, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $144 a year for the median $346,000 home, generating $5-6 million citywide annually.
All residents through road and infrastructure funding without a property tax increase.
Households and businesses, including tax-exempt institutions like the National Sports Center, would pay the fees on utility bills.
Mentions & discussions (7)
City Council - Oct 19, 2026
The council renewed expired 1998-era franchise agreements letting Connexus Energy and Xcel Energy run electric and gas lines in city rights-of-way.
City Council - Aug 17, 2026
The council held hearings on five ordinances adding franchise fees to gas and electric bills — about $12/month for a typical household — to fund street reconstruction instead of borrowing. Final vote is September 9; several residents on fixed incomes pushed back hard.
City Council - Aug 3, 2026
The city is proposing new franchise fees on Connexus, Xcel, CenterPoint and Centennial Utilities that would show up on your utility bills. Staff project $5-6 million a year, mostly for road paving, and say the median homeowner would pay less this way than through a property tax increase. Public hearings continue August 17 with final votes expected September 9.
City Council - Jul 20, 2026
The city is renegotiating its expired electric and gas franchise agreements with Connexus and Xcel Energy — the backbone of utility service in public rights-of-way. Finalizing them also sets up the possibility of franchise fees.
City Council - Jul 6, 2026
The 1998 franchise agreements letting Connexus and Xcel use city rights-of-way expired, and the renewal ordinances are being finalized. Final adoption is expected July 20.
City Council - Jun 15, 2026
The city is renewing 20-year-old franchise agreements letting Connexus and Xcel run electric and gas lines in city rights-of-way. First readings are done; final adoption comes July 6.
City Council - Jun 1, 2026
The city is updating its electric and gas franchise ordinances with Connexus and Xcel. A resident slammed the companion franchise fee as 'a tax' on utility bills. The ordinance hearing continues June 15; any fee structure comes July 20.
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