Columbus residents may have an alternative option for Internet and cable television services next year.
City councilmen approved paying a consultant $12,000 to negotiate re-upping Columbus’ contract with Cable One, which is up for renewal in June, and to work with AT&T to bring its digital services to the city.
Greg Fender, president of Georgia-based Local Government Services, will be paid $8,000 to work the Cable One negotiations and $4,000 to work the AT&T negotiations.
City chief operations officer David Armstrong said Fender will work as an independent, one-time contractor with the city to ensure it receives the highest possible monthly franchise fee from each provider.
Columbus entered into a 25-year agreement with Cable One in 1989 for the company to provide cable to Columbus residents. Fender will also audit Cable One to make sure the company has satisfied all fees presently owed. Columbus and Lowndes County each receive more than $200,000 yearly in franchise fees. Armstrong said county administrator Ralph Billingsley recently worked with Fender and recommended him.
In other business, the board:
■ Accepted a $25,000 from Falcon Construction to repair the intersections of Second Street South and Third Avenue South as well as Second Street South and Fourth Avenue South. Financing will come from the city’s general fund. The city had the option of repairing each one individually for $16,000 each, meaning a $9,000 savings for doing both;
■ Approved rules and fees for renting the Old Highway 82 bridge;
■ Swore in seven new full-time police officers and six part-time reserve officers;
■ Approved a request from Columbus Fire & Rescue to apply for the 2013 Assistance to Firefighters grant;
■ Accepted fireman Jeremy Harpole’s resignation;
■ Accepted police chief Selvain McQueen’s request for $88.50 for undercover car tags.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
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