La Plata, MD – With the analysis of the Charles County Fiscal Year 2017 budget getting ever closer to the May 6 deadline for approval, the window for adding new requests to the general fund or Capital Improvements Project list is closing fast.
Perhaps that’s why Charles County Commissioner Vice President Debra Davis [D – District 2] is fighting so hard to make sure that funding is available for a new fiber-optic cable for high-speed Internet service to the Indian Head area.
That was one of several factors a consultant determined was critical for the town to recover from its malaise of recent years.
When discussion before the Charles County Commissioners turned to the Capital Improvements Projects part of the budget Tuesday, April 12, Davis was quick to pounce on the issue of funding for the fiber-optic cable.
“We do not have it in the CIP,” Charles County Finance Director David Eicholtz told Davis. “There’s no reason why we didn’t or couldn’t include it. We can’t put it in the general operating budget,” he added.
Commissioner Ken Robinson [D – District 1] said it was his understanding that when the county renegotiates its cable contract franchise agreement with service provider Comcast, that the company would provide the upgrades needed on the county’s western side.
“To me, it’s open for discussion,” Robinson said. “The county is not in the business of being utilities. They should pay for that.”
Back on March 1, Gary V. Hodge, president of Regional Policy Advisors in White Plains, stressed the need for county involvement in getting the Town of Indian Head brought forward into the 21st century for the town and the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Indian Head.
“It’s extremely important,” Hodge said. “The county’s role in that is vital.”
Davis told Eicholtz April 12 that the funding has to be in the budget, “one way or the other.”
The debate is likely to continue next week when the commissioners meet to discuss the budget once again.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com