General Information

Project Timeline

  • September – October 2018: The City released the Technology & Communication Survey to the community to obtain feedback regarding internet service and city communication efforts in Lucas.
  • November 2018: 400 household responses were collected from the Technology and Communication Survey and results were presented to City Council.
  • January 2019: City Council appointed members of the Technology Committee.  Technology Committee held their first meeting and determined items to research and collect information regarding internet service.
  • February – April 2019: Technology Committee explored opportunities to steer interest from current Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to expand and/or improve internet service.  The overall response from ISPs indicated there are no business plans to expand existing networks or rebuild infrastructure due to low return on investment, low density housing, and large residential lots.
  • May – August 2019: The City developed the Internet Speed Test where 514 households reported internet speeds, service providers, and infrastructure.  Internet speed data was used to geographically map internet speeds throughout Lucas.
  • August – September 2019: Technology Committee researched municipal broadband networks and traveled alongside city staff to Mont Belvieu, Texas, to meet with the City of Mont Belvieu and discuss MB Link, the first municipally owned and operated broadband network in the State.
  • October 2019: City Council approved the Technology Committee’s recommendation to acquire the services of a broadband consultant to conduct a broadband feasibility study.
  • November 2019: City staff and Technology Committee developed key content in the Request for Proposal to acquire the services of a broadband consultant to conduct a broadband feasibility study which includes a conceptual network design and financial model.
  • December 2019: The Request for Proposal was finalized and published to garner interest from  broadband developers and consultants to conduct the broadband feasibility study.
  • January – February 2020: The City received seven proposals in response to the Request for Proposal and the Technology Committee reviewed, scored, and ranked each proposal based on a set of evaluation factors.  The City Council approved the Technology Committee’s recommendation to acquire the services of Magellan Advisors to conduct the broadband feasibility study.
  • March 2020: A formal contract was executed between the City and Magellan Advisors to conduct the broadband feasibility study.
  • April 2020: Magellan Advisors collected data and necessary information from the City to develop the conceptual network design and estimate costs.
  • May 27, 2020: Magellan Advisors held a broadband project meeting with City Council and Technology Committee to review the preliminary conceptual network design and estimated construction costs.
  • June 4, 2020: City Council meeting with discussions regarding broadband project timelines, milestones, funding, and the potential bond election.
  • June 17, 2020: Magellan Advisors held a broadband project meeting with City Council to review the preliminary financial model.
  • June 18, 2020: City Council meeting to discuss the preliminary financial model, recommendations, funding strategies, and information from the City’s Financial Advisor.
  • June 29, 2020: Magellan Advisors held a broadband project meeting with City Council to review the adjusted financial model.
  • June 30, 2020: Magellan Advisors held a broadband project meeting with Technology Committee to provide an update on the overall project.
  • July 2, 2020: City Council meeting with final recommendations regarding the adjusted financial model.
  • July 16, 2020: City Council meeting with overview of the broadband feasibility draft study provided by Magellan Advisors.
  • July 27, 2020: Magellan Advisors held a broadband project meeting with City Council to review the finalized broadband feasibility study.
  • July 28, 2020: Magellan Advisors submits completed broadband feasibility study to the City.
  • July 30, 2020: Budget Workshop/Special City Council meeting with discussions regarding the broadband project, feasibility study, and potential bond election date.
  • August 6, 2020: City Council meeting approving Ordinance 2020-08-00919 calling a Bond Election to seek voter approval of the issuance of not more than $19,190,000 of general obligation bonds to create a fiber optic broadband utility system.
  • August 31, 2020: The City submitted a grant application for the Lucas Broadband Project to seek funding from the 2020 EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PWEAA) Programs including CARES Act Funding.  The City has requested $2,849,321 in funds from the EDA program for CARES Act Funding to fund the construction of the fiber backbone ring.

Survey Information

Technology and Communication Survey Results
Speed Test Results 
City of Lucas Heat Map of Reported Internet Speeds

 

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