County hears Boot II broadband plan; officials press for utility coordination

Newton County Commissioners on the record heard a presentation from broadband developers about a federally funded Boot II/Boot Plus project intended to expand high-speed internet to underserved parts of the county.

Robert Parker, a project representative, told the court the build would include about 552 miles of construction and serve roughly "5,424 passing in your count," and that the work is planned to proceed over about 24 months. Parker said the program includes a Boot II phase and a Boot Plus phase that will connect additional addresses as construction proceeds.

Why it matters: County officials said the broadband expansion could extend service to many rural addresses that currently lack reliable internet, but they emphasized the need to avoid damage to existing underground utilities. Commissioners and staff requested that the company convene a stakeholder meeting—including local water districts, the county, and municipal utilities—before starting trenching or digging to review schedules, engineering plans and locate maps.

Presenters and county representatives described past problems in the south end of the county, where work by another provider was reported to have damaged small rural water systems that lack tracer wire and clear easements. Commissioners asked the broadband team to prioritize aerial routes where feasible and to coordinate locates so staff can avoid cutting into water lines that are difficult to find.

The presenters said preliminary engineering would begin within weeks and that they would contact county staff once design and verification are complete. They asked the court to forward contact information to local utility officials so the company can arrange detailed preconstruction meetings.

The court did not take a vote on the presentation; commissioners indicated they expect follow-up briefings and a dedicated coordination meeting before large-scale ground disturbance begins.