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Tusayan council directs staff to negotiate broadband contract with Commnet
Summary
Following an executive‑session discussion, the Tusayan Town Council voted to direct staff to negotiate and execute a contract with Commnet Broadband; the move follows earlier public comments about local broadband options and a Commnet representative’s proposal to use existing fiber for public‑safety equipment.
The Tusayan Town Council voted Oct. 8 to direct staff to negotiate and execute a broadband services contract with Commnet Broadband after an executive‑session discussion. Council Member Josh Collet made the motion, which Council Member Andrew Aldaz seconded; Mayor Clarinda Vail, Vice Mayor Greg Brush, Collet and Aldaz voted in favor. Council Member Kathryn Kanallakan’s vote could not be heard on the record.
The action came after public‑safety and broadband updates earlier in the meeting. John Champagne, identified as Commnet’s business‑development lead, told the Council that “with all the fiber optic cable we have in Town, there is an opportunity for cameras and surveillance equipment for public safety.” That comment was raised during the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office quarterly report, when the Council and staff discussed the new resident deputy and patrol coverage.
Mayor Vail said the draft procurement documents (an RFQ) describe the scope of the proposed contract and that once negotiations are complete the final agreement will be made public. Town Manager Hendrix told the meeting that the Commnet contract, as negotiated, does not change an existing AccessParks arrangement and staff are separately researching reported service interruptions affecting some residents.
The council’s direction authorizes staff to finalize contract language and execute the agreement if negotiations conclude in line with the Executive Session guidance. No final contract terms or effective dates were presented during the public meeting; the Council did not vote to approve a final contract during the session.
Next steps: staff will proceed with negotiations and return a final contract for the public record when negotiations are complete. Residents who raised questions about service continuity were told the town would communicate updates as available.
