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County IT proposes pooled fiber subnet for libraries and ambulance bays; board authorizes consultation
Summary
Anderson County’s IT director proposed consolidating internet service for county libraries and ambulance stations into a county-managed fiber subnet to save about $800 a month; trustees authorized IT to consult with librarians and the budget director on feasibility and budgeting.
Anderson County’s IT director told the library board the county could save roughly $800 a month by pooling internet services for several libraries and ambulance stations into a single county-managed fiber subnet, but implementation would require up-front firewall purchases and coordination with city-funded sites.
Brian Young outlined a proposal to group four library branches and six ambulance stations onto a dedicated subnet and said a vendor offer could cover addresses on fiber service. He estimated a one-time startup firewall cost of roughly $1,200 per location and approximately $13,000 total for 11 sites; with a recommended firewall investment, Young said the county could reach break-even in about 17 months on a typical three-year contract. Without front-end firewalls the vendor offered a lower-cost, modem-only alternative.
Trustees and staff discussed budget timing and which addresses are already donated or paid by providers such as Comcast. One trustee noted some branches already receive donated service and that pooling could complicate local funding arrangements; the IT director said he would need to map which sites the county funds directly and which are supported by city or vendor donations.
After discussion, the board approved a motion authorizing the county IT department to consult with librarians and the budget director about the pooled-fiber plan and to bring recommendations back through operations and budget processes. The motion passed by voice vote.
Trustees and staff said next steps include detailed cost allocation, evaluating security needs at each site, and identifying which locations would require firewall purchases. The board did not commit capital funds at the meeting; it requested follow-up analysis and coordination with finance before any contract binding the county.
The board approved the consultation motion and several routine items later in the meeting, including budget transfers from book lines to communications and data-processing funds for one branch. The library board’s next regular meeting is May 14 at 5:30 p.m.
