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Commissioner presses city to hold internet providers to undergrounding promises in Golden Shores
Summary
Commissioner Joseph pressed staff for follow‑up after residents reported that AT&T and Breezeline have not completed promised fiber installations in Golden Shores despite conduit being placed; staff said utilities are regulated by the PSC and that the city owns conduit but cannot dictate operators' service choices.
Commissioner Joseph pressed the city manager and staff for a clear update on why promised fiber optic service has not been installed in the Golden Shores neighborhood despite conduit having been placed under the city's undergrounding project.
Commissioner Joseph said residents in Golden Shores — about 200 households referenced in the discussion — remain connected via copper or intermittent overhead services while fiber sits at the bridge awaiting installation. He asked staff to follow up and hold providers accountable, describing the situation as the neighborhood being “the orphan child of the city.”
Deputy Manager and city staff said the city owns the conduit but does not regulate private communications companies and that promises regarding customer offerings rest with the providers and the Florida Public Service Commission. Staff said they contacted AT&T and Breezeline; Breezeline replied that it uses a mix of fiber and copper depending on customer needs and that further clarification was required. The city manager agreed to coordinate with the city attorney and bring a clearer agenda item next month to set expectations and identify what action, if any, the city can take.
Commissioner Joseph asked staff to provide a written follow‑up next month documenting communications with the providers, any costs the city has incurred for undergrounding, and options for pursuing remedies including referral to the PSC or legal action if warranted.
