Frisco City Council approved allocating funds to bury power lines in west Frisco.[/caption] On June 21, Frisco City Council approved allocating $12.4 million to bury power lines in west Frisco along Main Street. The funds come as part of an order the Public Utility Commission of Texas approved earlier this month that allows for most of the new power lines route to be buried with the city's financial contribution. The order included a stipulation agreement between the city of Frisco and Brazos Electric, which outlines the project and the city's contribution. The approved route spans about three miles along Main Street from west of FM 423 to east of Legacy Drive. A portion of the route east and west of FM 423 will have overhead lines. The overhead lines will extend into Frisco to just north of the Bank of America at 425 Main St. The rest of the route in Frisco will be underground.

The cost to install the power lines is estimated to be $22.4 million. Under the stipulation agreement, the city will pay about $12.4 million toward the cost of the project. The PUCT has agreed to pay the remaining $10 million.

To pay for the city’s contribution, CoServ Electric, a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative and one of Brazos Electric’s members, has agreed to raise its utility franchise fee from 3 percent to 4 percent.

A utility franchise fee is paid by utility companies to cities for the right to build power lines and related infrastructure on a city’s right of way. With the current franchise fee rate, Frisco receives about $3 million per year from CoServ, said Ben Brezina, Frisco’s assistant to the city manager. With the increased rate, the city would receive about $4 million per year.

Utility customers in Frisco will see an increase of about $1.50 per month, CoServ spokesperson Oscar Martinez said.