Lady Lake commissioners are split on a plan to pursue a potentially expensive fiber optic municipal wide area network.
Lady Lake IT Director John Pearl has urged commissioners to consider laying the fiber network during the expected widening of U.S. Hwy. 27/441. The town could save considerable money if it piggybacks on the expected roadway project. The network could be a lure for businesses in the expanding knowledge economy.
But in a meeting Monday on the topic, Mayor Ruth Kussard, who prides herself on being a strict guardian of taxpayers’ dollars, said she fears taking on a potentially expensive project with no certainty of a payback. Commissioner Jim Richards echoed the mayor’ sentiments.
But three commissioners – Paul Hannan, Dan Vincent and Tony Holden – were willing to take the next step.
The town will contract with Magellan Advisors, to prepare a comprehensive broadband design and technical plan for the project.
“We expect to piggy-back on another local municipality’s contract with this vendor,” Pearl said.
The cost of the study would not exceed $20,000.
