Yates County updates ReConnect broadband: Phase 2 live, Phase 3 set to start Aug. 25; legislature to seek time extension

The Yates County Finance Committee received an update on the ReConnect broadband project, hearing that Phase 2 is fully live and customer connections are underway while Phase 3 is scheduled to begin Aug. 25, 2026. Jeff Ayers reported that 71 customer lines have been connected and that closeouts for Phase 2 will proceed pending final payments.

Ayers presented the project’s financial snapshot: the table in the report lists Make-Ready at $3,844,703, Engineering at $1,330,326, and a project total of $17,159,012 that includes a county match of $3,631,625. He said FRS 52 in the amount of $89,401 was submitted June 30 and received July 23, and that R&C for Q2 2026 was submitted on July 31.

Committee Chair Bill Holgate asked whether the resolutions related to ReConnect should be forwarded to the Legislative meeting; after discussion and minor edits there were no objections. The committee agreed to send a resolution authorizing the Chair of the Legislature to sign a letter requesting a time extension for the ReConnect Broadband Project.

The report also noted permitting and engineering items: DOT and railroad contracts have been executed and some permits remain pending, and staff will report to RUS on decommissioned customers and to LaBella on pole applications no longer needed. Ayers said a preconstruction meeting for Phase 3 was held July 22 and RUS approved the Phase 3 contract and associated budget reallocation.

The committee did not take a final legislative vote at the Finance Committee meeting; it forwarded the time-extension resolution to the full Legislature for placement on the Legislative agenda.