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whether there would be support for franchise fees and the rebates and wrapping up the topic. She <br />commented that it seems that the comments are becoming negative and the discussion is not <br />helpful. <br />Mayor LeTourneau commented that difficult decisions sometimes lead to difficult discussions but <br />believed that the conversation was open and respectful. <br />Councilmember Riley commented that there is not a perfect answer. He commented that the <br />difference that would be charged for taxes (using the levy method) versus the franchise fee would <br />be less than nine dollars per month for 98 percent of households. <br />Councilmember Specht asked if all the road funding would be included in the franchise fees, such <br />as cracksealing and maintenance. <br />Finance Director Lund commented that the franchise fee amount would then need to be increased <br />to support the sealcoating and maintenance. She noted that if the franchise fee were set at $8 to <br />$10, Ramsey would stick out as the highest one and there would be more pushback from the utility <br />companies. <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked for input from City staff as to whether they would like it to <br />continue in its existing manner of funding or to be included in the franchise fee. <br />City Engineer Westby commented that he did not have a preference. <br />City Administrator Ulrich commented that cracksealing is an annual maintenance activity whereas <br />the intent of the franchise fee would be to support long-term maintenance/repair of the roads. <br />Mayor LeTourneau commented that there has been good discussion tonight and would like to <br />gather consensus <br />Councilmember Heinrich stated that she would not support a franchise fee. <br />It was the consensus of the Council that a $7 franchise fee would be used as the sole funding source <br />for roads. <br />City Administrator Ulrich summarized the franchise fee consensus that was reached through the <br />discussion tonight for the potential five-year program. <br />Finance Director Lund stated that if the schedule outlined is followed, the franchise fee could begin <br />on October 1, 2020. She asked if that is the schedule the Council would like to follow or whether <br />that should begin January 1, 2021. <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated that she would prefer January 1 as that would be the most <br />simple. <br />City Council Work Session / June 9, 2020 <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />