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Viser updates Lake County fiber build as residents and staff press permits, safety and water‑line concerns
Summary
Viser told Lake County commissioners its federally funded fiber project is in year three of eight; county staff and residents raised concerns about pole placement, guy‑wires, and several water‑line strikes. The county and Water District plan follow‑up meetings to address permits and coordination.
Andy Sugg, a Viser representative, told the Lake County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 3 that a federally funded Ardoff Construction project to bring fiber to two regions of Lake County is in its third year of an eight‑year schedule and that 80% of fiber cable has been buried, with 10% on new poles and 10% on existing Midstate Electric poles. He said inflation and rising supply costs have created funding shortfalls that affect construction choices and easement work this winter.
Sugg said the project will place 1,609 access locations by completion and that "we had dug 100,000 feet in Town." He said service to homes will be activated after federal review and approval of completed sections.
Vice‑Chair Barry Shullanberger asked whether some Midstate poles met the height standards required for fiber. Sugg acknowledged that some existing poles are under current height restrictions and that Viser must install new poles in those locations. Road Superintendent Kevin Hock raised a related operational concern: guy‑wires used to brace poles are often placed near the front of the county right of way and present a hazard to plows and maintenance equipment.
Jim Strong, a community member, told the board that Right‑of‑Way permits had not been obtained for some pole placements and urged the county to consider issuing "cease and desist" orders for Viser until permits and state and county rules were satisfied. Christmas Valley Domestic Water District Manager Erica Anderson disputed the implication that Viser had not cooperated, saying the district has worked with Viser to locate and repair water‑line breaks. Anderson said there were four breaks the project's first year and that the causes were a combination of marking errors and outdated district maps; she asked Viser to stagger locate requests so flags and markers are not lost before crews excavate.
Commissioner Shullanberger proposed a round‑table meeting with Viser, county road staff and the Water District to resolve site‑specific permitting and safety issues; Commissioner James Williams suggested scheduling parties to meet after the session. The county accepted that follow‑up: Hock said there would be a meeting at the Water District office after the board adjourned.
The update noted ongoing permit and easement work planned for winter and the project's budget sensitivity to inflation. No formal action was taken by the board on the fiber project during the meeting; the matter remains subject to further coordination between Viser, county road crews and the Water District.
