Calling the Dickenson County Wireless Integrated Network (DCWIN) a burden to taxpayers, the board made the decision Monday, when it reconvened from its Sept. 28 meeting to discuss county finances.
Faced with repaying a $2 million loan the board took to close out last fiscal year and worries about keeping this year's finances on track, supervisors say the move was made with the aim of cutting expenses.
The decision followed news from county administrator Keith Viers that a $200,000 Technology Opportunities Program grant he sought for DCWIN did not come through. TOP is administered by Rural Development.
At Viers' recommendation, the board voted unanimously to cut DCWIN's budget by the amount of the anticipated grant. Then, saying they can't justify the expense of operating the network, supervisors decided it's time for the county to get rid of DCWIN.
The motion, made by Sandlick District Supervisor Gene Counts and seconded by Willis District Supervisor Scott Stanley, authorizes Viers to negotiate the network's sale or merger with another communications company.
DCWIN, which is "connected" by towers erected throughout the county, was developed primarily to improve communications for emergency services personnel and the county's 911 office. It also offers high-speed Internet service to county agencies and private customers.
Counts, following the meeting, said he does not want to deprive citizens of the service. But he believes the county's contract with Tinex Solutions, of Abingdon, to administer the network is not in the best interests of the county and its taxpayers.
Counts wants the county out of its contract with Tinex. However, the company must be given 90 days of intent to terminate the contract, he said.
Counts believes the contract alone is enough to show the county entered into an unwise venture. The contract is good for Tinex, but not for the county, he said.
For instance, according to the contract, Tinex receives $24.95 a month from each residential customer, while the county only receives $10.05.
Counts noted that when DCWIN was launched, the monthly fee for basic home service was $39.95. Last spring, the monthly charge was reduced to $35, with Tinex still receiving the same amount from each customer. But the county's portion was reduced to $4.95.
The county is facing "financial disparity," said Counts. And while a tax increase is one option, it's not one supervisors will support while the present structure of DCWIN is in place.
Stanley said he can no longer support DCWIN because it has been a burden on county taxpayers for some time. And while some want to keep it up and running until a solution can be found, Stanley does not see a way to justify the expense. "I will not support any type of tax increase or additional fees being placed on the citizens of the county," he said.
Counts said he would like to see the county get back what it has invested in DCWIN.
"We can't afford to bail out and give away the money we have invested in DCWIN. I will not agree to get rid of DCWIN and the county to lose its butt on it," he said. "The board will have to approve of any action taken involving DCWIN."
Counts said he would like to place a timeline on the DCWIN matter. "If we can get a good price out of it, we should sell it now," he added.
Viers said he will follow the board's direction and pursue a partnership with another organization or sale of the network. "With direction by the board, I will be trying to evaluate the situation. I want to find the best case scenario and best fit to serve the county and its citizenry," said Viers.
