The Marshall County Commissioners reviewed an ordinance last week that promotes private investment in broadband infrastructure.
Marshall County strives to be a broadband-ready community. Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist, who is a member of the Marshall County Broadband Planning Committee, told the commissioners on Monday, Dec. 16 that the committee has been working on a long-term plan over the past year on how to attract more broadband to Marshall County. The county was awarded a planning grant in the amount of $50,000 to come up with an outlook of broadband capabilities for the county.
The ordinance helps to establish procedures to allow forms, applications and documentation to be submitted electronically which will be reviewed within 10 business days after it is filed for submitted. The county will need to adopt processes and procedures that may include the designation of a final contractor, impose a fee for an application review or permit fee, impose a seasonal moratorium on the issuance of permits for a project, and work with communications service providers or utilities with respect to any action including access to public right-of-way, infrastructure and poles, river and bridge crossings, and any other physical assets owned or controlled by Marshall County.
The ordinance was approved on the second and third readings with unanimous votes.
