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Wyoming County authorizes up to $15 million bridge for County Broadband, approves tower leases and a $275,000 CIP appropriation
Summary
The Board approved a temporary Due To/Due From for Fund 7 - Broadband of up to $15,000,000, authorized multiple tower leases and license agreements with SBA Towers and American Towers, and appropriated $275,000 to the County Broadband CIP to cover ConnectAll NY fees and initial build costs.
The Wyoming County Board of Supervisors on March 10 approved a set of actions to advance the county broadband build, including a financial bridge, multiple tower agreements and a CIP appropriation.
By unanimous vote the board passed Resolution No. 26‑181 establishing a Due To (General Fund) / Due From (Fund 7 – Broadband) for an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 to cover invoices that might exceed the broadband bank balance until the county utility reaches profitability. Finance Committee Chair Mr. Kehl presented the measure and the tally on related consent items was recorded as Ayes: 201, Noes: 0.
The board also authorized several site agreements for county broadband equipment: a tower site lease with SBA Towers for Orangeville/Java locations (Res. 26‑186 / 26‑186 NC wording), and license agreements with American Towers for Ortner Road (Bennington) and a site on NYS Route 39 in Gainesville (Res. 26‑187 and 26‑188). An intermunicipal agreement with Livingston County for equipment on Short Tract Road was also approved (Res. 26‑189). The lease terms cited monthly rents (examples: $1,500/month for SBA Towers; $989 and $980 per month for two American Towers sites) and multi‑year renewal options with annual escalators.
To fund near‑term broadband build costs and grant‑related fees, the board approved Resolution No. 26‑190 appropriating $275,000 to the County Broadband CIP to cover a 1% incentive fee ($156,829.46), a $250 application fee to ConnectAll NY, and remaining anticipated 2026 buildout expenses. The appropriation is to be drawn from fund balance/contingency.
Next steps: the lease and license agreements are effective upon signing; the Due To/Due From establishes the county’s ability to front funds while invoices are reconciled and grant disbursement milestones are met.
