FAIRVIEW, Ala. – The Fairview Town Council on Monday voted to table a motion to create a franchise agreement with Sprout Fiber Internet, declining to enact the agreement until more study can be done on the issue. At issue was the fee the town would collect and the likelihood that Sprout would pass the cost of the fee on to customers.
Mayor Clint Haynes told the council that all communications companies such as Sprout, Verizon and AT&T have franchise agreements with the municipalities in which they provide services.
Town Attorney Andy Herren told the council, “Everybody’s already paying a franchise tax, whether they’ve got AT&T or what have you. If they’ve got some kind of line running to their house, there’s a franchise agreement probably somewhat similar to this town,” observing, “Whenever you pass something new like that, we’re not taxing people. It’s not something like that, but it is an agreement with Sprout where they pay us money to use our stuff, just like all the other companies.”
Haynes continued, “They’re going to push that money that they pay us down to the customer, and y’all are going to get hammered on that.”
Council members noted that, as customers switch to Sprout from another provider, they will likely be coming from a company already charging them a fee to another doing the same, with the only difference being that Sprout might send out letters to inform customers of the increase.
Herren said that if the council does not charge Sprout a franchise fee, the town might need to go back and review all other existing franchise agreements, as other companies might ask, “Why does one company get a break when all the other ones don’t?”
The council will take up the issue again at its next meeting.
Park news: pickleball courts ready to go, new director needed
Haynes said that the town’s new pickleball courts “as far as I’m concerned, are done.” While the town might add decorative greenery, the courts are now open. Lights on timed availability will allow the courts to be used from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. each day.
Haynes also told the council that the current park director will not return, and that he plans to advertise for a new director with the same responsibilities, hours and pay. He hopes to have the position filled by Sept. 1, 2026.
The council discussed the development of a playground at the park, noting that equipment will need to include activities for both big and small children, as well as handicapped-accessible equipment. Councilwoman Julie Grimes was named as the playground project manager.
Haynes said that the playground will be the town’s “big project for next year.”
Other news
The council discussed placement of a large LED sign at town hall, and the recruitment of local businesses and organizations to buy space on the board’s rotating digital pages. The stated cost was $290 per year for 10 years, but could be lower with more businesses.
The council declined a request for the town to pay for a memorial bench honoring a past local softball team coach, but said that the town would work with any groups who wanted to buy one themselves.
The council took its first look at a request from a subdivision on Wesley Avenue for repairs to a collapsed culvert. According to Haynes, the road where the culvert is located does not belong to the town, and the county has declined to work on the road due to it being a private road. Haynes added that the county told him that the road cannot be accepted as a county road until the residents of the community bring the road up to county specifications. According to the council, developer Melvin Hastings had previously been told that the thoroughfare needed improvements to be an accepted road. The council will formally take up this issue at its next meeting.
The Fairview Town Council meets at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of every month at Fairview Town Hall. The public is invited to attend.
