Committee backs $350 rebate program as stopgap while BEAD process continues

The Administration & Public Works Committee recommended the city council establish a low‑orbit Internet equipment rebate program to help residents without wired high‑speed service while the state and federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) process proceeds.

Staff told the committee Spectrum’s initial wired proposal for 395 homes exceeded what the city could authorize; Spectrum later applied to the state for about 300 Wildwood households, and staff said 49 of the previously identified 395 addresses are now covered in that state application. The department said 72 addresses are in dispute—listed by the provider or the state as served despite appearing on the city’s phase‑2 list—and about 74 addresses remain in areas without an application on file.

To bridge the gap, staff proposed a stopgap rebate program: an eligible resident would apply in person at city hall, prove ownership of a property on the city’s phase‑2 list, submit a paid receipt for qualifying low‑orbit satellite hardware, and receive reimbursement up to $350 (the approximate retail cost staff identified for typical consumer terminal hardware). Staff emphasized this would only cover hardware costs; subscription congestion fees and ongoing service charges remain the resident’s responsibility.

Vice Chair Lauren Edens moved the committee recommendation and Council member Marshall seconded; the committee approved the recommendation to forward the rebate program to council and to continue pursuing BEAD funding for wired infrastructure. Staff said the rebate would not preclude continuing negotiations with wired providers and noted hardware performance can vary by property (tree cover, roof placement).