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Board pauses broadband construction cost-share after high default rates; existing signups grandfathered
Summary
County staff said the $750/$1,200 construction cost-share program is on hold after roughly half of signed customers defaulted on payment plans; those already registered will be grandfathered and the policy will be revisited after grant-funded builds conclude.
Staff told the board the county is pausing the construction cost-share option (previously $750 or $1,200) for fiber connections after reviewing payment behavior. "We've looked very closely at how many people have defaulted... over 0.5 of them have defaulted," the staff member said, citing a high default rate that undermines the program's sustainability.
The presentation explained that grant-funded threshold areas with high take rates received free construction; beyond the grant footprint, cost-sharing was introduced to extend service. Staff said registrations already submitted will be grandfathered under existing terms and the policy will be revisited once the grant-funded build finishes and state deadlines are met.
