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Board approves $1.68 million change order for county-backed agricultural tower network
Summary
After a lengthy public discussion and comments from growers and industry groups, the Board authorized a $1,684,849.07 change order to EX2 Technology LLC to revise specifications and engineering for the county’s wireless/agriculture tower project funded with federal ARPA and state funds.
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved a change order to advance the county-funded wireless tower network intended to improve connectivity for agriculture and rural areas.
County administration sought approval of change order number 24-156-COR002 with EX2 Technology LLC in the amount of $1,684,849.07 to "meet specification revision and engineering materials requirements and design," and to authorize the account administrator to sign the contract amendment subject to legal review. The motion to approve the modified change order passed after board discussion and public comment.
Why it matters: Local growers and economic-development leaders said the wireless mesh will improve on-farm connectivity, reduce equipment downtime and help attract businesses that need reliable rural broadband. Mark Smith of Smith Farms, a long-time project advocate, told the Board the county and its private partner had attracted substantial outside investment and that delays were hurting agricultural technology deployment: "We cannot continue to drag this project on... This tower system is like an opportunity magnet," he said.
Funding and history: Speakers traced the project’s funding history: the county initially allocated $21 million; the state added matching funds and then an additional $1 million after an earlier reallocation; private partner investment and state grants increased the program’s scale. Mark Smith summarized the cumulative public and private investment figures discussed at the meeting, noting the county’s original allocation and subsequent state and private contributions.
Public comment and stakeholder input: Representatives from the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCIDA) and local growers urged the board to prioritize completion. Tanya Hodges, YCIDA executive director, said the project is helping attract industry to Yuma and urged supervisors to “move forward with this.”
Board action: The change order motion (modified on the dais) authorized the county administrator to sign the amendment subject to review. The motion carried on voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Background technical note: County presentation materials showed the broadband project has moved through multiple design iterations and the amendment reflects adjustments to tower numbers, materials and engineering after final design changes. Several supervisors and public commenters urged staff to expedite remaining permitting and connection work so towers can be erected and integrated with last-mile work promptly.
What’s next: Staff will finalize the contract amendment and proceed with tower procurement and site work. Board members directed staff to keep the project high priority and to coordinate outstanding easements and interconnections that contractors still require to finish the build-out.
