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County discusses rebuilding damaged broadband towers, weighing in-house work, FEMA rules and potential RFP
Summary
Rio Blanco County officials and staff reviewed options to repair or replace fire- and weather-damaged broadband towers, discussed cost drivers (radios, backhaul, solar batteries), and agreed to gather subscriber contact lists and cost estimates before deciding whether to rebuild in-house or seek contractors or a third‑party operator.
Rio Blanco County staff described options on Oct. 14 for restoring fixed‑wireless broadband sites damaged by fire and subsequent weather, and commissioners directed staff to gather more information before deciding whether to rebuild towers themselves, hire contractors or solicit proposals from outside ISPs.
County staff said an in‑house rebuild could save on travel and contractor mobilization costs because technicians live locally, but that tracking staff hours more precisely would reduce some of those estimated savings. “If the board tells us to go rebuild the tower, do our best to rebuild the tower,” said Eric (staff member), who described both recent repairs and ongoing trouble at multiple sites.
The county operates a hybrid network of 9 primary towers and 11 secondary solar‑powered towers. Staff estimated…
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