What I’d like to see is FTTH, with all the leads going to a central location that any vendor could use to provide us services. I could see companies like AT&T, CableONE, Speakeasy, etc offering TV, Phone, or Internet access (or a combination of the three) over the lines, paying only a small maintenance fee back to the city (to pay for the maintenance/upkeep). They’d provide their own equipment, all they’d do is hook up to the cables.

I’ve read about small communities (much smaller than ours) doing something very similar and have always thought it’d be a great thing for other local governments to do. The way I look at it — the big TelCo’s aren’t going to do it — why don’t we, and then charge them for use of the lines?

There’s been no talk of tying it to any particular company, although obviously SOME company would have to provide internet service. I imagine it would be awarded via a fair bidding process, like any other taxpayer-funded project.

Again, we are merely in the very early stages of exploring the possibility, so your suggestions are valuable. Please continue to follow and join the conversation as you are interested.

I don’t know how many communities have been successful in setting up such a service, but I have read nothing but horror stories about failed implementations (ISP’s walking away, municipalities running out of funding what with having issues getting taxes passed for it, etc).

One thing I’m wondering — what is the intended use? With how cheap internet service is (AT&T, even though I despise this company, offers a $10 monthly DSL service; of course, they were forced into it as part of the merger agreement, but still…), do we *really* have a need for it? Are there droves of people asking for service to be available in the parks, for example?

Rebecca

I would definitely agree on trying to find other trash companies that would come to all areas in Kirksville, city and county. I would like to be able to have a choice and hopefully have something a little less expensive.

Thanks for listening.

1. The $109,356 will be paid from K-REDI to the city in the form of a check. The check will be drawn upon the general funds of K-REDI. Those general funds consist of annual memberships from private and public institutions in Kirksville of which a portion thereof comes from annual funding from the city.

2. The 50% transfer takes place only upon HIT closing on property adequate for the construction of the proposed DNA laboratory. Upon that transfer, HIT has the right to PURCHASE the remaining 50% interest.

3. The undisclosed contractual terms relate to a completely separate part of this project. It is not related to the hangar in any way. HIT is obligated to pay an annual lease to the city for the city owned ground upon which the hangar sits. The lease price is $1,000 per year which is consistent with other leases at the airport where private hangars sit upon city owned property.