Board drops broadband contract amendment after questions about completed asset and payments

Escambia County commissioners on March 25 decided to drop from the agenda an amendment to the county’s broadband agreement with an outside vendor (item CAR 2‑28). The item concerned an amendment to a project described in prior board actions and in county contracts; Commissioner Lumen J. May questioned whether the asset had already been constructed and whether the amendment accurately reflected work already completed and the county’s rights.

Commissioner May said he understood a fiber and pole network was completed in December 2023 and that the county had been waiting to set up its own network, adding that a large capital asset had been built and that the amendment “acts as if that didn’t happen.” May asked whether the county had paid and how much remained outstanding. County staff said most infrastructure work and some invoicing are complete; there are pending invoices and overlapping grant timing issues that must be reconciled. The clerk and county staff reported payments to date but said some invoicing remained outstanding.

After discussion about whether the amendment was the right mechanism to “true up” the contract versus other procurement methods, commissioners agreed to remove the item from the consent agenda and bring it back when staff and legal counsel could provide clearer documentation. The motion to drop CAR 2‑28 passed 5‑0.

What’s next: County IT and procurement staff will provide documentation about completed construction, outstanding invoices and recommendations for correct contract steps; the item may return once staff and the clerk have reconciled invoices and scopes of work.