Court approves county-wide dark-fiber internet project; sheriff to cover $120,000 extension cost

County staff on Dec. 2 presented and won approval for a plan to consolidate internet service for county facilities onto a dark‑fiber network.

John (county staff) explained the difference between lit and dark fiber and said dark fiber would give the county a private ring, increasing bandwidth and providing redundancy if a line is cut: “Dark fiber means it’s all ours,” he said. The project will require in‑ground fiber runs to long‑distance facilities, including the jail and the juvenile facility; staff estimated about a six‑month construction period. The sheriff’s office offered to cover a one‑time construction charge of about $120,000 (from the sheriff’s commissary/forfeiture fund) to extend fiber to the jail, which staff said lowers the county’s overall monthly cost. The contract term presented is five years with options for one‑year extensions.

Commissioners asked about construction timing, whether fiber would be in the ground and procurement effects; staff said the county will own the dark fiber and will gain roughly 30% more usable bandwidth and a redundant entry point to reduce outages. After discussion, the court moved and approved the internet consolidation agreement by voice vote.

Staff said the county will still exclude lower‑need sites (road and bridge yards) and that the project will be budgeted within existing fiscal year allocations.