§ 16.06. Gross earnings.

Every corporation or person exercising any franchise in, over, under or upon any of the streets or public places or elsewhere in the city shall pay to the city a franchise fee in a sum equal to at least five (5) percent of the gross earnings derived or accruing from the exercise or enjoyment within the city of the franchise. This section shall apply to every franchise granted prior to the adoption of this Charter and to every other franchise unless the ordinance granting its exempts the grantee and others holding through or under them from the franchise fee.