LOGANSPORT —
Logansport City Council members last week nixed funding of a $850,000 wireless project approved late last year, but officials say the project is not completely off the radar.
Mayor Ted Franklin did not agree to repeated attempts to set up an interview late last week, but he issued a statement via email that said the wireless initiative is “still being considered in some form.”
“The city of Logansport is seeking alternative funding sources, alternative proposals and partnerships to share the cost burden,” he said. “It is unlikely that the plan that was proposed will be finalized.
While the funding that was appropriated has been rescinded, the opportunity is still being explored. It is possible that we could receive funding from grant sources.”
Franklin did not provide information on how the proposal was being “explored,” who the city may consider partnerships with or what grant sources may be pursued.
In December, the City Council voted 5-2 to enter into a service contract with Great American Broadband to install and maintain wireless service and provide customer billing. The city’s money would have been used to set up the system and cover initial service fees and advertising.
Officials said the move would have made wireless Internet services available to Logansport residents for as little as $30 a month.
In January, after Franklin and four new council members took office, the council voted 4-2 to rescind the appropriation, with council members Chuck LaDow and Teresa Popejoy casting the dissenting votes. Councilman Jeremy Ashcraft was absent at that meeting, but voted against rescinding the money at last week’s meeting.
Both LaDow and Ashcraft voted in December for the allocation and have said they support the project that was presented.
Newcomer Popejoy said she wanted to keep the funding there while Franklin or the city’s information technology committee explored more options.
Ward 1 Councilman Bob Bishop, who has been vocal about the issue even before taking office in January, said, “We’re not going to spend $850,000” on the project and that the city is looking at getting other bids.
“It’s not a dead deal,” he said. “But it’s not something that’s going to happen in a month or two. This is something that could take six months or maybe even a year.”
• Jason M. Rodriguez is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or jason.rodriguez@pharostribune.com.
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