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The LaFayette City Council agreed to allow the Chambers County Commission to string fiber optic cables on city poles pending an agreement drafted by the county attorney and proper review by technicians. 

Contractors for the county commission have drafted a plan to run fiber optic cables from the county courthouse downtown to the Law Center that they recently purchased across the street. Because the cables must be hung from city poles, the commissioners requested the city council’s approval for the plan. 

In January, the county commissioners approved a bid with Allied Security Professionals for $14,587.97. The quote for the bid covers hanging the fiber optic cables between the two buildings but not quotes for permits or certification of the fiber.

LaFayette city attorney Mac Tucker presented the request and asked that the council either approve or reject the plan. Tucker said the plan is time-sensitive and that the contractor will be out to hang the lines next Thursday.

When requested, Tucker reached out to Chris Sanders, superintendent of the city’s Electric Department, to ensure that the agreement with the county would not violate any previous agreements with cable or telephone companies with the city. 

“I asked Louis to check with Chris to make sure that we’re not in violation of some agreements that we have with cable companies, or the telephone company, making sure that there’s room on the polls to do that,” Tucker said. 

From there, the city council would present pricing for renting the poles out to the county commission. 

Several council members discussed the motion, wondering who would draft the agreement. They agreed that the county should hold the responsibility of the county commission. 

The council made a motion to approve the plan pending a written agreement drafted by County Attorney Skip McCoy. They will also have the city’s contracts with Spectrum and AT&T reviewed as well.