Liberty Communications describes broadband buildout in Jefferson County; board seeks written certification before final payment

Liberty Communications representatives briefed Jefferson County supervisors on Oct. 6 about the company's broadband infrastructure work paid in part by local ARPA funds and federal grants. The company described a network architecture that uses wireless connections from towers to homes and fiber backbones between towers, and reported that it has built monopoles and backbones at several locations and invested approximately $2,325,000 in Jefferson County to date.

Under the agreement on the board's agenda, the total contract is $774,963.22; the previous board had appropriated $500,000 up front, leaving $274,963.22 as the remaining amount under the grant. Liberty said it has completed the other two project phases and asked the county to approve the final payment. Supervisors asked for written documentation from Liberty certifying completion of all grant requirements; Liberty's representative said they could provide a "letter of certification" within about two weeks after final work is done on phase three.

Company representatives also described customer pricing and service commitments: baseline packages at $59 and $79 per month depending on speed, higher-tier offerings (up to 500 Mbps down / 100 Mbps up), and a program to subsidize nonstandard installation costs up to $2,500 per customer with a $100,000 set-aside prioritizing low-income households. The company said there is no data cap and customers can choose their package; staff and supervisors discussed competition from other providers (Starlink, mobile carriers, other local ISPs) and the long-term sustainability of advertised rates.

What the board asked for: Supervisors asked Liberty Communications for a signed certification that the company has completed all phases required by the grant before the county issues the final payment; Liberty agreed to provide a completion letter and confirmed two weeks remained to finish phase three.

What happens next: Staff will expect written certification from Liberty prior to disbursing the remaining funds. No final payment was recorded as approved at the meeting; supervisors requested the completion letter as a condition for payment.