Overview: During the latest Brainerd City Council meeting, a portion of the discussion centered on the potential implementation of franchise fees as an alternative funding mechanism for capital construction projects. The council revisited the topic after an attempt to gather public opinion through open houses and presentations yielded no attendees. Some council members expressed support for franchise fees, emphasizing their potential to distribute construction costs more evenly across utility users rather than just property owners adjacent to projects. One member highlighted the ease of budgeting smaller fees spread across utility bills compared to larger lump-sum assessments . . .