Hainesville board hears Metronet pitch on fiber build as agreement is introduced

A Metronet representative outlined plans to build a fiber‑optic network in Hainesville at the board’s Jan. 27, 2026 meeting, describing fiber as more reliable than coaxial systems and saying the company will offer residential internet and commercial phone services.

The presenter said fiber provides redundant power sources and greater reliability and that Metronet will not require long-term customer contracts. “So it'll be Internet for residential, for commercial, the Internet along with commercial phones,” the Metronet representative said while answering residents’ questions about services and what would change for current providers.

The presentation included photos of installation stages and restoration practices; the presenter said crews will place splice boxes, complete work during the day and restore disturbed ground with seed or other measures. Responding to residents, the representative said the company will generally avoid taking work in roadway pavement unless a utility crossing requires a short excavation, and will use flow fill and rated lids designed to withstand local use.

Residents asked whether fiber would replace existing providers and how installation would work for multi‑dwelling buildings. The company said the fiber is a transport network that residents may choose to subscribe to, and that building‑level access for apartments or condos requires coordination with property managers: line extensions to individual units will be installed only after a resident or building owner requests service.

The board chair thanked the presenter and introduced an ordinance approving a construction administration agreement with Metro Fiber Net LLC; the motion was seconded and a roll call was requested. The transcript records the ordinance being introduced and a roll call requested but does not include a completed roll call result for that ordinance in the segments provided.

What happens next: the board advanced the item to a roll‑call vote during the meeting; any formal adoption or further conditions were not recorded in the provided transcript.