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KITTITAS COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS
<br />STATE OF WASHINGTON
<br />NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE
<br />TO USE COUNTY ROADS, RIGHTS -OF -WAY AND OTHER
<br />COUNTY PROPERTY WITHIN KITTITAS COUNTY
<br />Application of Level 3 Communications, LLC for telecommunications facilities over, along and
<br />under county roads, rights -of -way and other county property in Kittitas County, Washington, as
<br />hereinafter set forth, having come on regularly for hearing before the County Commissioners on
<br />November 18th, 2025, under the provisions of RCW Chapter 36.55, and it appearing to the Board that
<br />notice of said hearing has been duly given as required by law, and that it is in the public interest to grant
<br />the franchise herein granted.
<br />WHEREAS, LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC, hereinafter referred to as "LEVEL 3", is a
<br />telecommunications company providing high -capacity interexchange transport to telecommunications
<br />common carriers, including data transmission, linkage to long distance carriers, video and voice
<br />transmission, and other telecommunication services to customers, including those in the Puget Sound
<br />Region; and
<br />WHEREAS, LEVEL 3's desired route through Kittitas County, hereinafter referred to as
<br />"COUNTY", requires the use of certain portions of COUNTY rights -of -way for the installation, operation,
<br />and maintenance of a telecommunication system which will include fiber-optic cables; and
<br />WHEREAS, the COUNTY also recognizes that the use of public rights -of -way must be restricted
<br />to allow for the construction of amenities necessary to serve the future needs of the citizens of Kittitas
<br />County and that the coordination, planning, and management of the COUNTY's rights -of -way is
<br />necessary to ensure that the burden of costs for the operations of non -municipal interests are not borne
<br />by the citizenry; and
<br />WHEREAS, the COUNTY has determined that the development of a comprehensive plan for
<br />rights -of -way use, and management is the most effective means for managing the current use of rights -of -
<br />way and ensuring prudent and appropriate decisions concerning the use of rights -of -way in the future;
<br />and
<br />WHEREAS, LEVEL 3 has determined that it is in their best interest to move forward with the
<br />installation of facilities within the public rights -of -way prior to the completion of the comprehensive rights -
<br />of -way use and management plan.
<br />NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED:
<br />Section 1. Non-exclusive Franchise Granted. The COUNTY hereby grants to LEVEL 3, subject to the
<br />conditions prescribed in this Franchise Agreement, the franchise rights and authority to construct,
<br />replace, repair, monitor, maintain, use and operate the equipment and facilities necessary for an
<br />underground and aerial telecommunication transmission system, which includes fiber-optic cable, within
<br />the COUNTY -owned rights -of -way generally described below, and hereinafter referred to as the
<br />"franchise route".
<br />Such franchise shall not be deemed to be exclusive to LEVEL 3, and shall in no way prohibit or limit the
<br />COUNTY's ability to grant other franchises, permits, or rights along, over, or under the areas to which this
<br />franchise has been granted to LEVEL 3; provided, that such other franchises do not unreasonably
<br />interfere with LEVEL 3's exercise of franchise rights granted herein as determined by the COUNTY. This
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