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Herriman council delays vote on Comcast request for state broadband grant support
Summary
Herriman council continued consideration of a Comcast request for a non‑exclusive letter of support tied to a state-administered federal broadband grant after lengthy questions about mapping, who would benefit and a tight April 11 application deadline.
Herriman Mayor opened debate on a request from Comcast for a non-exclusive letter of community support so the company could apply for state-administered federal broadband funds targeted to mapped "unserved/underserved" areas.
Council members said they supported expanding service where residents lack reliable broadband but repeatedly pressed Comcast and staff for details on how many Herriman households would be served, how the state mapped the 36 identified locations, and whether awarding grant dollars to a private provider could limit residents' future choices.
Comcast's local consultant said the state has allocated approximately $317 million to the program and that a provider awarded funds must build in the designated areas; the company also told the council it planned to contribute well above the minimum matching requirement and would guarantee published rates and speeds for five years for locations served. The representative said the application deadline for a provider submission was April 11 and that the state map could be shared to clarify which parcels and pockets the state has identified.
Several council members said the city has worked for years on municipal broadband options and that past interactions with private firms have left lingering concerns; one councilor asked why the city would sign on to a request that could effectively subsidize a private company’s expansion into Herriman without clearer evidence of local benefit. Another council member said the letter imposes no direct cost to the city and could give residents immediate options in areas with little or no service.
After extended Q&A about how many addresses the map covers, how the state defines "unserved," and whether the award would obligate residents to a single provider, Council moved and seconded a motion to continue item 5.4 so staff and the requester could provide detailed, parcel-level maps and hold a short pre-deadline briefing. The council approved the motion to continue; staff and the provider agreed to schedule a call before the April 11 filing deadline to walk council members through the mapping and application details.
The council did not approve or deny the requested letter at this meeting; the item was continued for more information and will return at a future meeting.
