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City says Brightspeed has paid roughly $250,000 in engineering and inspection fees
Summary
Public Safety/Service Director Duane Streator told the Service Committee Brightspeed has paid about $250,000 toward engineering review and inspection costs; companies must provide upfront deposits that are drawn down and replenished as work continues.
Public Safety/Service Director Duane Streator told the Service Committee that while the City does not charge for right-of-way permits themselves, the engineering review and on-site inspection work tied to fiber projects is charged back to the utility company and paid from an upfront deposit. "Brightspeed has paid approximately $250,000 in engineering and inspection fees to date," Streator said, and staff monitors deposit balances and requests replenishment when funds are low.
Streator described the procedure as a way to ensure taxpayers do not subsidize private utility projects: companies deposit funds to cover expected consultant review and inspection costs, the City draws down the deposit as work proceeds, and the company must replenish the deposit to avoid interruption of oversight. Law Director John Gasior referenced City Code Chapter 1032 as the legal mechanism requiring deposits to recover engineering-related expenses.
