Dive Summary:

• The Escambia County Commission will discuss a proposal to increase franchise fee caps by 50 percent, which would add additional costs for residents and businesses with high monthly electricity bills.
• In the 1990s, the county granted franchise to Gulf Power Co., the Escambia River Electric Cooperative, and the City of Pensacola to provide electricity and natural gas under the condition that the providers must remit franchise fees to the county.
• Currently, residents and small businesses pay a five percent franchise fee on their bills, which can’t be more than $10; if approved, the new proposal would raise the maximum payment to $15.

From the article:

Escambia County residents will have a chance to weigh in today on a plan to raise the caps on franchise fees for electricity and natural gas, hikes that are intended to create a permanent source of money to pay for economic development in the county.

The proposal would increase the caps by 50 percent and would cost extra for residents and businesses with high monthly electricity bills. The increases would net an additional $2.5 million to $3 million each year. ...