Grant County fears 'rate shock'

Monthly bill could increase

EPHRATA - With proposed fiber rate increases, Grant County's monthly Internet bill could skyrocket from $770 per month to $12,200 per month.

Grant County's Director of Technology Gary Baker told Grant County PUD commissioners Monday the impact would be "significant" for law and justice and public safety.

Grant County has 16 VLANs (virtual local area connections) throughout the county and has built its other equipment around the fiber system, he explained.

Baker said the money to pay for fiber comes from the county's technology services budget.

"Frankly, we don't have that sort of funding," he added. "That's a lot of money."

The utility is considering an increase for direct providers to connect to the PUD's fiber-optic network.

Commissioners approved a resolution earlier this year to spend $50 million to expand the PUD's network by 15,000 connections and do not want to subsidize the network.

Commissioner Tom Flint told Baker the commission is still looking into Baker's concerns and doesn't want to jeopardize law and justice.

"This is rate shock," Baker said.

Also Monday, the commission:

• Approved a $7.3 million contract with the Yakama Nation for long-term financial backing of a Coho Salmon restoration program over the next 10 years.

• Approved a resolution setting rate policy, which directs staff to prepare draft retail rate schedules for the commissioners consideration. The policy requires the utility to "provide predictable, stable rate increases as necessary," along with 12 other requirements.