County Commission Terminates Contract For Broadband Project

Oconee GA

04 August, 2021

11:57 PM

Description

Oconee County commissioners, after a 40-minute executive session on Tuesday, terminated the county's contract with Smart City Capital, its partner in building a broadband network in the county. County Administrator Justin Kirouac gave little explanation for the decision in the short public session following the closed meeting, saying little more than that it was time to "pivot" on the project. In an email exchange on Wednesday, Kirouac said the previous model "was proving to not be viable" and the county is exploring "different models with different partners." Board of Commissioners Chair John Daniell said in a separate exchange on Wednesday that the county "learned a whole lot" from the experience and remains "very confident" the county soon will be "getting broadband out to folks." In other action at their Tuesday night meeting, the commissioners voted to put the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum on the November ballot, approved $12.5 million in bond sales for a new administrative building, and set a slightly lower property tax rate for the year. Commissioners also approved a rezone and variance for a small drive-through restaurant on Hog Mountain Road, a rezone and variance for a small subdivison on Colham Ferry Road south of Watkinsville, and a rezone for an office park on Jimmy Daniell Road. The county Board of Elections and Registration on Wednesday gave final approval to the Transportation tax referendum, meaning all county voters will have a reason to cast a ballot in November. The Board of Elections and Registration also on Wednesday set elections in Bishop, North High Shoals, and Watkinsville. Bogart, which is partially in Clarke County, handles it own elections. For more on the story, please click through to Oconee County Observations.