Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Broadband topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Yates County ReConnect update: 57 customers live, splitter issue delays service for about 36 homes
Summary
County ReConnect staff reported 57 customers connected to date, said some far-reach Phase 2 addresses need special long-distance splitters that are estimated to delay service for about 36 homes, and noted Phase 3 bidding showed Eustis Cable as apparent low bidder at roughly $2.6 million.
The Yates County Finance Committee received a detailed update on the county's ReConnect broadband project on May 5. Jeffrey Ayers reported 57 customers are connected so far and said Phase 1A, 1B and Phase 2 work are progressing while Phase 3 procurement continues.
Ayers told the committee that "Some of Phase 2 is going to be coming online imminently" but that engineers discovered a subset of addresses in the far reaches of Phase 2 require a special long-distance splitter. He said YES is obtaining quotes and that "estimates are that ~36 homes will be delayed service due to this issue." Project staff characterized the delay as equipment-related rather than a permitting or financing hold-up.
The committee was given a Phase 3 procurement timeline: plans and specs meetings and pre-bid steps led to an open bid period and a May 11 resolution to award the Phase 3 contract pending final engineering review. Ayers reported Eustis Cable as the apparent low bidder at approximately $2.6 million and said an ~80-day construction window is expected once permits and materials are in hand.
Financial reporting presented to the committee showed project advances and balances across categories (Make-Ready ~$3,844,703; Engineering ~$1,330,326; Phase and equipment totals) and a reported project total of $17,159,012 that includes a county match of $3,631,625. Ayers said the county is still coordinating with RUS on required audit and reporting items and that one batch of 44 customer connection costs (about $35,225) was submitted to RUS for inclusion in next month's reporting.
