The DeKalb County Commission has approved designating $750,000 of the county’s American Rescue Plan funds to DeKalb Telephone Cooperative for their continuing expansion of their fiber optics network across the area. ARP money has restrictions on what funds can be used for, with a high priority set towards infrastructure, water and sewer, and broadband services. DTC hopes to reach a minimum of 1,523 households in the county, including Belk, Chapel Hill, Keltonburg, Pea Ridge, Temperance Hall, and Whorton Springs.

The request by DTC was voted on by the DeKalb County Commission at their last scheduled meeting of the year, on Monday, December 20, designating the funds from the county’s $3.9 million share of ARP funding. The vote didn’t come without some dissent, with some commissioners asking if the county was moving too fast.

“We had an American Rescue Plan meeting with the county commission and Chris Townson was in attendance, the CEO of DTC,” County Mayor Stribling told the commission. “He presented a letter he had written to me, to be shared with the commission. There is some infrastructure money for broadband that the state has. It is through grants (Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development) and according to his letter it’s about 70 percent of the required funding, so there would be about a 30 percent match. DTC would be putting in, the way I understand, some match [funding], and they are also requesting that some ARP money that the county is receiving as part of the match. This is one of the four or five categories that does qualify for the ARP money. This comes under infrastructure for broadband, water, and sewer.”

Commissioner Beth Pafford made a motion to allocate the $750,000 of ARP funds to DTC to build the remainder of their fiber optics plan, and was seconded by Commissioner Julie Young.

Commissioner Dr. Scott Little said he thought the commission was moving too fast in designating funds. “It’s my understanding that the final rules haven’t been promulgated for this grant yet and actually they (DTC) are not going to apply for this money until February,” Commissioner Little said. “I was just wondering what the rush is to do this in December when we haven’t really looked at the other areas that we want to spend this $3.9 million on.”

“I mean I’m am all in favor of this, but we’re not even sure yet whether we will have to do some matching for the water improvements that are coming up,” Little continued. “We’ve got some other plans for this money, and I’m just wondering why we need to rush with the $750,000 in December when the final rules for this haven’t been promulgated yet and they (DTC) are not even going to apply for it until February.”

“Well, believe it or not, I agree with Dr. Little on this 100 percent,” said Commissioner Bruce Malone “Even Mr. Townson said that he was in no rush to get this money.”

“I think we are rushing things,” Commissioner Jerry Adcock said. “We are like little kids in a candy shop with a dime. We want to run around and see every piece, and try to spend every bit of that dime. I just think we’re rushing this. It’s a good thing. Don’t get me wrong. I would like to do it, and see it done. Maybe what we should do is put that money back and say ‘Okay, we’re going to evaluate it down the line for this $750,000.’”

Commissioner Julie Young said that it was her understanding the reason DTC needed to know so soon from DeKalb and other counties that they service, was to be able to order cable and supplies in advance due to delays in supply.

Commissioner Myron Rhody also pointed out that a portion of the funds was earmarked for water and sewer, and could not be used for anything else.

“The reason they would like an answer from us now is when they go to apply for grants, they will know how much money they need to match. They will put in some of their own money and some ARP money if you approve it,” said County Mayor Stribling.

The commission voted 9-2-1 to approve DTC’s request, with Fourth district member Dr. Little and Seventh District member Malone voting ‘no.’ Fifth District member Adcock simply voted ‘here.’