Every registered Tulsa voter can weigh in Aug. 25 on whether to grant Oklahoma Natural Gas a new 20-year franchise and raise the franchise fee the company pays the city, a decision that will shape utility infrastructure and municipal revenue through 2046.

The proposition asks voters to approve Ordinance No. 25782, which would let ONG, a division of ONE Gas Inc., continue using city streets, easements and public rights-of-way to distribute natural gas. The Tulsa World reported that the franchise question is open to all Tulsa voters regardless of council district, unlike the concurrent council races where only six of nine seats are contested.

The vote matters for wallets and sidewalks alike.

The ordinance would raise the franchise fee from 3.10% to 4.00% of ONG's gross receipts. That 0.90-percentage-point increase is projected to generate roughly $1.4 million per year in new revenue, according to a city presentation from April, as reported by Hoodline. The new money would flow into a dedicated fund for sidewalk repair, streetscaping, street lighting and right-of-way maintenance rather than the general fund.

In exchange for waived municipal permit and lane-closure fees, ONG would be required to maintain ADA accessibility standards during construction, give 48 hours' advance notice before non-emergency excavations and build temporary sidewalks when repairs are delayed, according to News On 6.

Tulsa last approved an ONG franchise in August 2011 for a 15-year term, which itself replaced a 25-year agreement dating to 1986. During public informational sessions this summer, city leaders said Tulsa has no alternative natural gas distributor and no public capital to acquire ONG's existing underground pipe network.

The franchise vote does not affect retail gas rates, which remain under the Oklahoma Corporation Commission's jurisdiction. Oklahoma's constitution requires voter approval before any municipality can grant a utility the right to use public streets and rights-of-way.

Neither Mayor Monroe Nichols' office nor ONG responded to requests for comment on the measure.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 25. Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot at okvoterportal.okelections.us.