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Board approves $1.68 million change order to expand county broadband tower network
Summary
After public testimony from agricultural stakeholders and economic development officials, the Yuma County Board of Supervisors approved change order 24-156-COR002 to EX2 Technology LLC for $1,684,849.07 to add towers and meet revised engineering and materials specifications for the county broadband mesh project.
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors on March 24 approved a modified contract amendment to expand the county’s broadband tower network.
County administration described the funding history for the mesh project: the county initially allocated ARPA funds and later secured additional state matching funds; the county then received further state support after earlier clawbacks. The existing contract with EX2 Technology LLC requires a change order (24-156-COR002) to accommodate specification revisions and additional engineering and materials. The modification approved by the board authorized the county administrator to sign the change order in the amount of $1,684,849.07.
Public testimony: Farmers, growers and industry representatives made several public remarks urging the board to move quickly. Mark Smith of Smith Farms described the initiative as critical to local agriculture, saying the broadband mesh was intended to bring reliable connectivity to rural areas and to support precision agriculture. He summarized funding leverage on the project (county ARPA dollars plus state grants and private investment) and said the project has delivered new broadband service to communities that previously had little or no connectivity.
Economic development perspective: Tanya Hodges, executive director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCIDA), told the board the broadband towers attract companies and research partnerships that create local jobs and innovation opportunities.
Board debate and the vote: Supervisors questioned funding availability and whether the change order could be funded from the ARPA/state allocation; staff confirmed the money is available. The motion to approve the change order as modified passed with the board voting aye.
Why it matters: Board members and industry speakers framed the addition of towers as an economic and agricultural priority — linking connectivity to farm productivity, equipment efficiency and prospective employer investment in Yuma County. Delays, they said, raise costs and may hamper recruitment of companies that require reliable rural broadband.
Implementation notes: Staff noted additional administrative steps remain — tower site extensions, rights‑of‑way and technical connections — and that further coordination with landowners and contractors will be required as the expanded tower count is installed.
