Franklin County officials are taking decisive steps to secure reliable Internet services as the City of Ottawa prepares to discontinue its cooperative arrangement by December 12. During the recent Board of County Commissioners meeting, the need for a new Internet service provider was a key topic, with officials emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Dustin, a representative at the meeting, outlined the county's long-standing partnership with Ottawa, which has facilitated Internet services since 2013. However, with the impending service termination, the county has been proactive in exploring alternatives. Over the past few months, they have reached out to various vendors to find a comparable Internet service solution.

The recommendation put forth is to continue services with AT&T, the current provider. This decision aims to ensure a smooth transition and maintain connectivity for county operations. Additionally, the county considered a consortium based in Lawrence called CanRent, which typically serves higher education and nonprofit organizations, but ultimately decided to stick with AT&T.

This move highlights the county's commitment to maintaining essential services and minimizing disruptions as they navigate the changing landscape of Internet provision. As the December deadline approaches, officials are focused on finalizing the agreement to ensure uninterrupted service for Franklin County residents and operations.