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Broadband bond, MOU and hut sites draw public questions; board continues Golden State Connect Authority hearing to Sept. 9
Summary
Golden State Connect Authority told supervisors it has CPUC grant money and seeks to sign an MOU to build an open‑access fiber network in Amador County; the board continued the public hearing to Sept. 9 after local providers raised concerns about possible overbuild and asked for more consultation.
Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) representatives and county staff briefed the Amador County Board of Supervisors on a forthcoming fiber broadband construction plan, an interagency memorandum of understanding and a proposed GSCA revenue bond issuance.
GSCA said it has been awarded approximately $57 million from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to construct last‑mile fiber in multiple project areas in Amador County. The authority requested board approval of (a) a memorandum of understanding that would give GSCA the right to construct, operate and maintain fiber on county‑controlled rights‑of‑way and easements and streamline permitting; and (b) a public hearing acknowledgment of GSCA’s intent to issue up to $120 million in revenue bonds to fund construction, with GSCA — not the county — responsible for repayment from system revenues. GSCA described an “open access” model that the authority said will allow multiple internet service providers to run services over the new fiber.
Speakers noted two planned ‘hut’ (equipment) sites inside county right‑of‑way to feed the network and explained the network will tie into the state middle‑mile. GSCA also described a $50 million CPUC loan loss reserve program that would improve bond market terms.
Volcano Communications Group (Frank Leshinski) urged the board not to approve the project without further review. Leshinski and other speakers said the planned routes would duplicate existing publicly funded fiber in parts of the county (an “overbuild”), that the local incumbent could suffer business harm, and that low‑Earth orbit satellites and cellular providers are increasingly competing for rural customers. Leshinski said Volcano had filed a complaint with CPUC about parts of the award and asked for a meeting with GSCA to seek mutually agreeable solutions.
After public comment, supervisors agreed to continue the public hearing until the board’s Sept. 9 meeting at 10:30 a.m. so GSCA and local providers can meet and discuss technical and route issues. County staff confirmed for the board that the two proposed hut locations are within county right‑of‑way and would require encroachment permits, not separate easements.
Ending: The board continued the public hearing to Sept. 9 to allow additional consultation between GSCA and local providers and to allow staff to return with any requested clarifications.
