The Ripley Power Board voted Dec. 1 to authorize the next step in a planned fiber-optic build intended to connect Hall to Ripley and extend service toward Gates and Curve. The board approved the measure in a roll-call vote after the superintendent presented a cost breakdown and funding plan.

The superintendent told the board the total build-out — assuming the utility installs the backbone and runs drops to homes — is estimated at about $639,728 (rounded in discussion to approximately $640,000) and would reach as many as 510 houses if fully built. He said the board was being asked to authorize the immediate next-step construction work, which he described as roughly $398,000 in up-front work, and that the utility would pay for the work from Ripley Power reserves. "We don't spend that money until we get a customer," he said, explaining that the cost of individual drops from pole to house would be incurred as customers sign up.

The superintendent said the proposal is to own the fiber and lease dark-fiber services rather than operate retail broadband, which would require a different corporate structure. "We just wanna own the fiber that helps us control it," he said, adding that owning the lines would allow the utility to switch service providers if necessary.

The superintendent also described logistical details: the project requires roughly seven additional miles of line and current construction estimates are about $21,770 per mile, which he said is roughly double historical per-mile costs. He told the board a contractor could install the backbone quickly (about 30 days), though the utility plans to perform some work in-house to save money.

A motion to carry the project to the next step was made by Mister Chilton and seconded by Mister Frazier. The board conducted a roll-call vote and recorded yes votes from Alderman Austin, Alderman Chipman, Alderman Frazier, Alderman Healy, Alderman Law and Mayor Hinchey; the motion passed.

The board's authorization covers the next-step work and establishes an approximate maximum build-out budget for planning purposes; the superintendent said actual spending on customer drops will depend on sign-ups. The utility will proceed with the contracted backbone work and return to the board as needed for further approvals tied to customer-driven drop installations.