Concerns About Using DTR Funds for Broadband Project

Commissioner Alan Campbell expressed concern about a plan to use money from the Delinquent Tax Revolving (DTR) fund to cover final payments for the countywide Broadband project. Although earlier boards expected the DTR fund would fill the gap beyond ARPA funding, Campbell argues this goes against the county’s own policy.

According to county policy, DTR surpluses should only be used to pay down debt or for one-time capital projects listed in the county’s six-year capital plan. Since the county doesn’t own the broadband infrastructure and it’s not in the capital plan, Campbell believes this funding source is inappropriate.

He suggests the county should have planned to use General Fund money starting in 2022, when the contract with Point Broadband was signed. That didn’t happen, but he proposes a possible solution: shift other eligible projects, like the $430,000 water cooling tower, to be paid from the DTR fund instead—freeing up General Fund money for the broadband project.

Campbell stresses that this isn’t about exact dollar amounts, but about following policy and setting the right precedent. He asks commissioners not to reply to him directly, as this conversation should happen during a public meeting.