Fiber optics into Ammon homes optional
Ammon is paving the way for a new method in financing fiber optics into homes. This “opt in, opt out” model is setting a historic example for the rest of the country.
Thursday night the Ammon City Council voted unanimously to allow citizens to opt in or out of having fiber optics installed in their homes.
“We have municipal fiber system that’s been in place really since 2008. Our businesses enjoy that benefit, the city of Ammon enjoys that benefit., and now we’re going what we call the last mile to the home,” said Ammon Mayor Dana Kirkham.
The decision will allow property owners in Ammon’s Limited Improvement District (L.I.D.) to accept or decline the use of the “fiber to the home” infrastructure. This is an innovative way to increase the broadband speed.
“We know that it will bring somewhere around $5,000 of enhanced value. And then, of course, there’s all the benefit of connectivity, the reliability that fiber brings, the speed that fiber brings,” says Kirkham.
If homeowners like the idea of having this, they can get it; but if they don’t want to pay for it, they can decline with no penalty.
Last year, the city conducted a pilot study to test the feasibility of the project without requiring all property owners to buy in. They found out the city could stay afloat by offering it as an option.
“We understood that because of the rural nature of our city, that if we didn’t get involved that we would be the last served. Which means we wouldn’t have any choices, and because we are so committed to choice this is a way to get out ahead of that,” said Kirkham.
Five subdivisions are already approved. So far, 376 individual properties are ready to go, and the city has 188 property owners expressing interest.
If you decide to opt-in, an assessment will be placed on your tax bill and you will pay for the fiber optics over a course of about 20 years. If you opt-out, nothing will be added to your taxes.
If you are wondering if you are a part of the L.I.D. boundary, you will be mailed a noticed sometime next week.
To sign up, visit http://getfiber.cityofammon.us/
A public hearing is set for June 2nd at 5:30pm, in the Ammon City Hall.
