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Lexington council approves SRO MOU, GIS contract and advances Windstream franchise
Summary
The council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with Lexington County School District 1 to continue school resource officer coverage for 2026-27, authorized a GIS consulting contract, and gave first reading to a Windstream Kinetic fiber franchise; a resident raised a consumer concern about fiber phone service during outages.
At its July 6 meeting, the Lexington Town Council approved multiple municipal agreements and moved forward on a fiber franchise.
Councilman Gavin Smith asked the council to approve a memorandum of understanding and school resource officer (SRO) services agreement with Lexington County School District 1 for the 2026-27 school year; the agreement continues a state-funded third elementary SRO position, describes cost-sharing if state funding ends, and includes an addendum clarifying billing for the third SRO. Smith moved to approve the MOU and authorized staff to execute the agreement; the motion passed unanimously.
Staff also presented a professional services agreement with Bradshaw Consulting Services to provide on-demand geographic information systems (GIS) consulting, technical support, data management, application development and staff training. The contract is task-based with work not to exceed 20 hours per week and will be funded from the operational budget allocated to a vacant GIS position. Councilmember Jenny Michaels moved approval and the council unanimously approved the agreement.
The council heard a first reading of a fiber-optic franchise ordinance and agreement with Windstream Kinetic. Mayor Pro Tem Todd Carnes said the franchise would replace the town's limited Windstream agreement and align terms with those previously approved for other fiber providers. Council approved first-reading approval by voice vote; additional readings and final adoption were not taken at this meeting.
Public comment and follow-up: During public comment a resident identified as Paula asked whether the cross-connection requirement would cost her $600 and separately said that after a Windstream Kinetic upgrade her landline phone would not work during power outages. Council members and staff said the town cannot control private carrier consumer features and suggested Paula contact Windstream; the mayor said staff would follow up with the company.
Votes at a glance: All presented agreements passed by unanimous voice votes. The Windstream item received first-reading approval and will return for required subsequent readings.
