By: Mariel Carbone | WCTV Eyewitness News

March 27, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- The City of Tallahassee will no longer move forward with an RFP to conduct a feasibility study looking into a fiber optic utility.

Instead, it'll conduct an in-house study, utilizing a working group, to look at the landscape for fiber optic broadband. Points of focus will include the national and local landscape, a community overview, an analysis of the market, a needs assessment of the city, the existing technology and the strengths and weaknesses of the city.

A vote for the in house study was unanimous.

The reconsideration of this issue came after Commissioner Elaine Bryant requested the discussion be brought back on the table. She was one of three commissioners who voted in favor of the feasibility study earlier this month.

"I made a very definitive statement, that I do not believe the city should be in the business of doing fiber optic," said Bryant.

Bryant said she misunderstood the original vote.

"When people ask me, am I changing my mind, no. I actually thought I was voting on doing some kind of white paper study, but not an RFP that would expend funds for the city," she said.

The commissioner noted that providing a fiber optic utility is not currently part of the city's strategic plan. And, if they are going to move forward with a study and spend city dollars, that needs to be added to the city budget.

The idea of building a fiber optic utility was suggested by Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, who would like to increase internet speed and connectivity.

"When we expand access to high speed, it's a great economic development catalyst. I think this could become the biggest push for economic we've seen in a long time," said Matlow.

Since the last meeting, he's started a petition, inviting residents to sign on in support of the study. To date, nearly 800 citizens have signed on.

"This was a way to let us get feedback, and it's been very responsive," said Matlow.

The original goal was to look into offering broadband internet as a city service, like how it currently offers electric or water. However, some people are having sticker shock after staff estimated it would cost roughly $280 million.

"People are taking the most extreme option and running with it," said Matlow.

The commissioner argues it wouldn't necessarily cost that much. The service can be offered in various forms, from retail service for residential or business, to service for public organizations and institutions and more. Matlow suggested starting small. He also noted a study could better determine the needs, the scale and the cost of the potential utility.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson, who was against the feasibility study, was concerned with the cost of the study. He noted the original process would've cost at a minimum, $100,000. That money would've needed to come out of a budget that had already been set.

He said he is supportive of the new process, and believes that broadband is essential for the future. However, he is still unsure of the government's role in service.

City Manager Reese Goad said this will be a long process and that he needs at least six months to make progress on this study.