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Council approves ARPA-funded broadband master plan to map fiber and pursue grants
Summary
Council voted to contract for a fiber master plan paid with ARPA funds to guide how the city might expand fiber infrastructure, pursue grants, and leverage development opportunities; staff emphasized the plan is a study and not a commitment to operate an ISP.
The Lincoln City Council authorized staff to execute an agreement to develop a broadband (fiber) master plan, using restricted American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, to map opportunities for fiber placement, analyze policy options and position the city for grant funding.
Staff said the work will help the city take advantage of open trenches, new development and grant programs to bring fiber to parts of Lincoln that currently lack affordable high-speed service. The plan will evaluate options ranging from making rights-of-way available to service providers to other models designed to increase access and reduce costs for residents.
During discussion, a resident and technology-industry commenter, James Enston, questioned whether the city intended to operate an internet service or incur long-term operating costs; staff and council members clarified the plan is to study infrastructure deployment and funding options and does not obligate the city to be a retail internet operator. Council approved Resolution 2024-164 to proceed with the broadband master plan; staff said the work will be funded from allocated ARPA funds (a figure of $264,000 was referenced during public comment as the study budget).
