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Crockett council approves lease with Watch Broadband for water‑tower internet equipment
Summary
Council approved a lease allowing Watch Broadband Texas LLC to mount broadband equipment on the city water tower in exchange for service aimed at improving internet access near the school and at two parks; council members cited potential deterrence of vandalism and cost‑free internet for occasional events.
The Crockett City Council on July 21 approved a lease agreement with Watch Broadband Texas LLC to mount a small repeater and related hardware on the city’s 130‑foot water tower near the school to improve internet service in an underserved area.
City staff said the company proposed installing equipment in exchange for free internet service for certain city needs rather than a standard cash rent. The presenter noted the water tower site is “prime real estate” for extending service toward the school district and two parks that currently lack reliable internet.
Council discussion centered on whether the arrangement would be open for public use, what speed the company would offer and how the equipment could support public events. A staff member said the firm had proposed roughly 300 Mbps service for the served area and that council could decide whether the access should be open to all park users or limited to event rentals.
Council members and staff also described an operational benefit: cameras mounted with the system could help deter repeated vandalism at park facilities. “If we can put a couple cameras up, it would be helpful,” a staff presenter said, noting the city has been replacing damaged playground equipment and fixtures at splash pads at taxpayer expense.
The presenter said Watch Broadband would bear equipment costs and installation, and the city would not incur a direct rent expense under the in‑lieu‑of‑services proposal. Council asked whether comparable leases at other city sites exist; staff said the city has a small existing site lease at the animal shelter but nothing on the water tower to use as a direct price comparison.
After brief discussion, a councilmember moved to approve the lease agreement between the City of Crockett and Watch Broadband Texas LLC; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Staff said follow‑up would include locating the repeater near the pavilion and at IC Williams Park where staff is working to secure or lock bathrooms at night; installations would aim to minimize access to hardware and to provide secure mounting and electrical access for cameras and the repeater.
