(A) Any public utility, municipal corporation, private corporation, associations, or persons who desire to locate, place, or construct ditches, drains, track, rails, poles, wires, pipe lines, or other equipment along or under county highways must obtain permission for such activity from the County Board.
(B) A condition of obtaining permission from the County Board for the location, placement, or construction of ditches, drains, track, rails, poles, wires, pipe lines, or other equipment along or under county highways shall be payment to the county of an annual fee, which fee shall be in the amount of $1 per linear foot. Said fee shall be charged with respect to each linear foot of each and every ditch, drain, track, rail, pole, wire, pipe line, or other equipment located, placed, or constructed under or along county highways, and shall be imposed upon each public utility, municipal corporation, or private corporation or individual utilizing ditches, drains, track, rails, poles, wires, pipe lines, or other equipment along or under county highways. It is the specific intent of this section to impose the fee upon each linear foot of wire or cable installed or located within any pipe line, conduit, or other excavation, and upon each linear foot of wire, cable, or other device capable of transmitting energy or impulse which is attached to poles or other aboveground devices.
(C) The first annual payment of the fee provided by this section shall be made within 30 days after written permission to engage in location of construction is granted by the County Board, and annually thereafter on or before December 1 of each calendar year.
(D) Public utilities, municipal corporations, and private corporations, associations, or individuals which are presently utilizing the type of improvements or equipment described in this section and which do not have current written permission from the County Board therefor shall pay the fee for the calendar year 1988 on or before December 31, 1988 and annually thereafter on or before December 1 of each calendar year.
(E) The fee provided by this section shall not limit the power of the County Board to impose other conditions upon persons or entities who seek written permission from the County Board with respect to engaging in the activities which are the subject of this section, and shall not relieve any such persons or entities from complying with any and all other obligations imposed by law.
(Prior Code, § 6-16-1) (Ord. passed 9-20-1988)