The City grants rights to a number of companies to provide services to Springfield residents. These are granted either as franchises or as Public Way Use Agreements and typically cover utility services. These franchises are administered by the Public Works Department which oversees the activities of the company and its operations to the extent permitted by State and federal law. In many cases these laws limit the authority of the City to regulate the activities of the company to assuring that the company's use of public right of way (City streets) is consistent with the needs of the public for safe and efficient movement of goods and people. In many cases, the City has no authority to affect the type of services the company provides, or the fees they charge. These companies generally pay a fee to the City for use of the public ways. In the case of companies providing services to local residents, these fees are typically a percentage of revenue. The table below lists companies who have received the authority to use public ways in the City. In every case, except Sanipac, who has a franchise to provide solid waste handling, the franchises are non-exclusive, which means that other companies may be granted rights to provide services in direct competition with existing franchisees.

In the table, those franchisees who provide service to local residents will have a local telephone number for citizens to use for customer service. Where the franchisee has an internet site, the name of the franchisee is a link to their site.

In addition to these companies, the Springfield Utility Board , which is a municipal utility, provides electric and water service under the authority of the Springfield City Charter. SUB may be reached at 746-8451.

Telephone contact: (541)726-3685

Email at Public Works

Last updated June 3, 2005.