NorthEscambia.com reports Escambia County is resoliciting bids for a company to high-speed internet to North Escambia businesses and homes. The Board of County Commissioners had approved into a memorandum of understanding with Escambia River Electric Cooperative to provide it within their electric franchise area – about 4,000 homes and businesses.
Cox Communications filed a formal protest against the award. According to NorthEscambia.com, Cox proposed to provide the service to only about
2,500 homes north of 10 Mile Road.
On WCOA this morning, Commissioner Steven Barry said the resolicitation is done to avoid a long delay fighting the protest with the hope of delaying the project for a month or so.
“After spending some time with Administrator Moreno and County Attorney Alison Rogers, the timeline to dispose of a protest, regardless of the merit, can draw out to be a lengthy timeline,” said the District 5 commissioner. “My real responsibility is to try to be an effective representative for my friends and constituents and bring that service more so than just trying to prevail and be right in an instance.”
