Washington County Commissioners voted on one change to the County’s broadband ordinance during a Thursday, September 23 called meeting.
The amendment was requested by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to include that permitting not exceed $100.
“We’ve made that change, and we just need to vote to approve the change,” said County Administrator Dustin Peebles, noting that the change is needed as part of the application to receive the Broadband Ready Community Designation.
County Commissioner Frank Simmons moved to amend the ordinance; Commissioner Doug Watkins seconded, and the vote carried unanimously.
As previously reported by WACO 100, County Commissioners adopted the broadband ordinance at their Thursday, March 11, 2021 meeting.
County Administrator Peebles explained during the March meeting that the ordinance streamlines the process for companies to request permits regarding broadband service.
County Administrator Peebles also reported that this ordinance is part of the Broadband Ready Community certification through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
“This will help us in our application through DCA,” said Peebles, adding, “You have to have the ordinance in place before you can apply for the certification.”
Peebles stated that the ordinance must be part of the County’s Comprehensive Plan, as well.
According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Oglethorpe County was the first in the state to earn the Broadband Ready Community Certification from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in July 2019. The purpose of the Broadband Ready Community Designation is for a community to demonstrate that a local unit of government has taken steps to reduce obstacles to broadband infrastructure investment. The designation also encourages economic development and attracts technology.
A local government that has amended their comprehensive plan to include the promotion of the deployment broadband services and has adopted a model ordinance is eligible to apply for a Broadband Ready Community Designation.