Submitted By: Brittany Craven
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Presentation By: Chad Lynch
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Department: Electric Utility
FORMAL TITLE:
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Five-year Pole Attachment Agreement between the City of Ocala and BellSouth Telecommunications, LLC, doing business as AT&T Florida, outlining the terms for attaching telecommunications equipment to City-owned utility poles
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Fiscally Sustainable
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) currently maintains joint-use agreements with 13 communication utilities that attach their cables to our power poles. Collectively, these providers account for 50,141 individual attachments. For attachments made in 2026, the approved attachment rate is $32.01 per attachment, generating approximately $1,605,013.41 in annual revenue for the utility.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Establishing joint-use agreements with providers like AT&T offers several benefits. These relationships increase the availability and variety of communication services for Ocala residents and businesses. At the same time, they generate additional revenue for OEU, helping offset the costs of maintaining and managing pole infrastructure. This approach supports both economic development and utility sustainability. Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Additional pole attachments generate annual revenue for the City in accordance with the established per-attachment rate. Revenue generated under this agreement will be applied to account 457-343-000-000-02-34112.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
This Agreement has been reviewed by the Procurement and Contracting Officer in compliance with City policies.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement has been reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny