A new potential option to deploy high-speed broadband Internet infrastructure in Sundre will be presented to council next week.
Elected officials heard during the Feb. 26 meeting that administration has been compiling a report that will outline the possibility of a public-private partnership. This option would outright eliminate the need to finance the project through debenture borrowing, which could create a detrimental impact on other capital expenditures down the proverbial road.
The matter was raised by Coun. Paul Isaac, who reminded his colleagues and administration that the public had previously been left with the impression that a final motion on pursuing either a public or private model would by now have been carried.
"The public is waiting for some response,” said Isaac.
Administration informed council there had been some new developments and that some time was needed to prepare a report.
"What we’re looking at is a P3, basically — a public-private partnership,” said Vic Pirie, director of finance and administration.
The municipality would in that scenario work with a private firm and put up a portion of the investment with the company covering the balance. Instead of borrowing so much as a single dime, the municipality could in that case draw from reserves without adding to the debt load and thereby substantially reduce the risk, said Pirie.
"But to do that means more homework,” he said, adding the information will be presented during the March 12 meeting. The two previously established options — either a public or a private model — remain on the table for council’s consideration, he added.
Elected officials should be commended for directing administration to consider developing innovative revenue generating streams that diversify the municipality’s sources of income to reduce the disproportionate dependency on the residential tax base.
We undeniably all desire roads that are not plagued by potholes as well as functioning sewers that allow us to flush when we want. But these types of infrastructures do not directly generate a penny, although they do cost a whack of money to repair, upgrade and replace as unexpected problems arise or their lifespans expire.
Meanwhile, a public or public-private option for broadband would generate income that in turn could eventually help fund other critical capital projects, which is definitely worth serious consideration.
Although Sundre is already lacking in terms of modern digital communications infrastructure and continues to fall further behind every day, perhaps Mayor Terry Leslie hit the nail on the head when he said, "We don’t want to rush to failure.”
— Ducatel is the Round Up’s editor
