Talks regarding a fiber installation project east of the Emporia City limits are on hold for at least a week following the Lyon County Commission’s regular action meeting Thursday morning.
Following a presentation from IdeaTek, commissioners chose to table a decision on signing a letter of support for the business, which is seeking a Kansas Office of Broadband Development Broadband Acceleration Grant to provide funds for a network buildout in Thorndale north and south of Interstate 35. Commissioners chose this course of action, noting there was not enough information for them to make a fully informed decision.
According to the handout presented to commissioners, IdeaTek would be looking at a fiber-to-the-home build that would offer symmetrical speeds up to 2.5 GIG to over 140 “premises” in the area for a cost of $670,000. The presentation, however, did not include the exact mileage of work nor a timetable for the work.
IdeaTek representatives also stated there could be a financial obligation from the county, a detail that came as a surprise, according to Commissioner Doug Peck.
Peck says he believes this is a worthwhile endeavor, noting the large presence the company has been building in recent weeks across the city of Emporia as part of a $14 million project. Noting the presence of other fiber-to-the-home companies in the community, Peck stated he believes having another option for city and county residents, thus creating competition, can be beneficial for customers.
IdeaTek representatives will return to the county for a second round of discussions next week. The application window for the acceleration grants is October 31.
This is the second significant item to be tabled by commissioners over the last three weeks, after commissioners twice tabled consideration of approving contracts for the proposed Lyon County 911 training facility and emergency communications center project, with last week’s tabling being indefinite. According to Commissioner Chris Bartel, a lack of detailed information was the main cause for both actions.
Bartel says when it comes to decisions of this magnitude, the importance of even the smallest detail cannot be overstated, adding that in addition to doing their “due diligence,” commissioners also have to be able to be transparent with taxpayers.
In other business Thursday, commissioners approved a nearly $14,000 quote from Tech Electronics to test and inspect fire and smoke alarms in county buildings. A parking lease agreement with Raise Your Paws also gained approval.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its weekly action meeting next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers.
