TL;DR (generated · confidence: high)

The Franchise Utility Program manages Portland's public right-of-way (valued at $13 billion) for private utility companies through franchise agreements, generating an estimated $85-90 million annually for the General Fund—the city's third largest revenue source. The 2026-27 proposed budget includes revenues of $823,993 and expenses of $805,714, with plans to improve permitting systems and implement a payment portal with BTS.

Key points (each cites a PDF page):

Right-of-way constitutes 20% of Portland's land and 50% of downtown core, with an estimated value of $13 billion (p. 289 ↗)
Franchise agreements generate an estimated $85-90 million annually for the General Fund, the city's third largest and most stable revenue source (p. 289 ↗)
2026-27 proposed total revenues: $823,993 (up from $778,092 in revised 2025-26 budget) (p. 289 ↗)
Personnel costs increase from $683,233 (2025-26) to $781,993 (2026-27), the largest expense category (p. 289 ↗)
2026-27 proposed total expenses: $805,714 (up from $793,483 in revised 2025-26 budget) (p. 289 ↗)
External materials and services expenses decrease significantly from $106,500 to $20,721 (p. 289 ↗)
Program will research and implement improvements to franchise and utility permitting systems to expand revenue opportunities (p. 290 ↗)
In collaboration with BTS, FUP will create operational efficiencies through an advanced payment portal system (p. 290 ↗)

Amounts: $13 billion · $85-90 million · $823,993 · $805,714 · $781,993 · $683,233 · $20,721 · $106,500 · Programs: Franchise Utility Program · Office of Equity and Human Rights · Parties: Bureau of Planning & Sustainability · Bureau of Transportation Services

Franchise Utility

Source: PDF pp. 289-290 ↗ · raw: 289 · 290

Breadcrumb: Service Area Summaries > Community & Economic Development > Bureau of Planning & Sustainability > Franchise Utility

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget Community & Economic Development > Bureau of Planning & Sustainability > Franchise Utility Franchise Utility Budget Revenues by Fund 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed External Revenues $64,816 ($49,918) $0 $0 General Fund $64,816 ($49,918) $0 $0 Internal Revenues $689,561 $696,266 $778,092 $823,993 General Fund $689,561 $696,266 $778,092 $823,993 Grand Total $754,377 $646,348 $778,092 $823,993 Program Expenses by Major Object Program expenses only include personnel, internal materials and services, external materials and services, and capital. 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed External Materials and $62,718 $48,942 $106,500 $20,721 Services Internal Materials and $67,678 $0 $3,750 $3,000 Services Personnel $500,499 $564,007 $683,233 $781,993 Grand Total $630,895 $612,950 $793,483 $805,714 Program Description and Goals The public right-of-way is the land from sidewalk to sidewalk, above, below, and on the surface of our streets. The right-of-way constitutes 20% of the land in Portland and 50% of the downtown core, having an estimated value of $13 billion. The City manages this land on the public's behalf and the Franchise Utility Program grants access to the right-of-way by private utility companies, like gas, electricity, and telecommunications, by negotiating and administering franchise agreements. The right-of-way is one of Portland's most important assets. Franchise agreements bring in an estimated $85-90 million dollars annually for the City's General Fund, the City's third largest and most stable source of General Fund revenue. Services 289

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget Manage non-waste franchise agreements

Deepen franchisee partnerships
Broaden telecommunications partnerships
Collaborate with PBOT on right-of-way management Equity Impacts The Franchise Utility Program supports essential City services through managing access to the public right-of-way and administering and collecting franchise and utility license fees. This Program helps to fund equity efforts of General Fund bureaus, for example the General Fund budget for the Office of Equity and Human Rights. City council allocates the funds generated by the Franchise Utility Program to bolster City Core Values – anti-racism, equity, transparency, communication, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility. Changes to Program FUP will research and implement improvements to franchise and utility permitting systems and policies to expand revenue opportunities and increase transparency and accountability in broadband and telecommunications oversight. In collaboration with BTS, FUP will also be creating operational efficiencies through an advanced payment portal system. 290

Parent: Bureau of Planning & Sustainability · PDF: pp. 289-290 ↗