Will service be available outside of the Decorah city limits?

While the current plan is to build a fiber network within the city itself, we understand that the community of Decorah does not stop at the city limit boundaries. We are hoping to work with possible partners to improve connectivity outside of the city and help bridge the “digital divide”.

Will you have data caps or allowances on your internet service?

No. Decorah’s fiber internet service will allow unlimited usage for all customers without overages or data caps.

Will this make my taxes increase?

No. A Decorah fiber network will be financed using revenues from the people who use it. That’s the same way our water utility works today…no tax dollars involved. If you don’t use it, you don’t pay for it.

What other communities have built their own fiber networks?

A lot! Just here in Iowa, we have communities larger than Decorah (Cedar Falls, Indianola, Waverly, Spencer, Muscatine) and smaller (Bellevue, Coon Rapids, Lenox) that have built or are building fiber networks. In addition, we have over a dozen other Iowa communities that have successfully operated hybrid fiber‐copper networks successfully for over 20 years.

Decorah is not alone in its efforts to consider a community‐owned fiber network. Other Iowa communities that are also in the process include Charles City, New Hampton, Pella, and Adair. It is expected that some of these cities will be building their own fiber networks in 2018.

Why would a city‐owned fiber network be better than what we have today?

During the past 3 years, city leaders and community advocates have talked to hundreds of Decorah citizens about their experience with current telecommunications services. They’ve told us that service is often unreliable, speeds are less than what is advertised, and the customer service experience leaves a lot to be desired. Those are problems that a new, community‐owned fiber network can solve for the benefit of the entire community.

I’m concerned about Net Neutrality. What can a Decorah Fiber network do to protect an open internet?

As a publicly owned provider, the city of Decorah will not engage in any practices that would block, throttle, or prioritize any traffic on our network. We believe the internet must remain free and open.

I’ve signed the pledge! Now, when can I get service from Decorah Fiber?

If enough people sign the Decorah Fiber Pledge, it will give us confidence that a community fiber network is a feasible project. The next steps would include finalizing a business plan, creating a financing plan, and hiring an engineering firm to design the network. It is possible that, if all goes smoothly, we could begin building Decorah Fiber in 2019!

NEWS RELEASE

Decorah Fiber Pledge Campaign to Measure Interest in Building a Community Fiber Network 

Decorah, IA (August 8, 2018) – The City of Decorah and the Decorah Telecommunications Utility Commission are asking citizens to express their support for a community-owned fiber optic network by signing the Decorah Fiber Pledge.

The Decorah Fiber Pledge, launched on August 1st, asks residents and businesses to commit to switching their telecommunications services to the city network when it is built.

“I want the City of Decorah to build and operate a state-of-the-art fiber optic network and provide internet, cable television, and telephone service to citizens. By my electronic signature below, I pledge to switch some or all of my residential telecommunications services to the City fiber utility within 12 months of the date they become available at our address.”

Jarrad Walter, chair of the Decorah Telecommunications Utility Commission, says the fiber pledge is designed to measure what the likely take-rates would be for a city project.
“Surveys are helpful, and the survey conducted during the original feasibility study showed strong support. But the fiber pledge campaign will give us even better projections to use in the business plan,” says Walter.

The Commission is currently working with CCG Consulting on a revised business plan that will bring the project’s financial viability into sharper focus. As part of that process, the Commission worked closely with CCG to develop proposed pricing for internet, cable tv, and telephone services.

The Commission’s goal is to build a network that can provide better service for a competitive price. If enough homes and businesses take the fiber pledge it will give the Commission confidence that a community fiber project will be successful financially and allow the fiber-to-the home project to continue moving forward with planning.

The Decorah Fiber Pledge is being conducted online at the following website: www.ourbroadbandfuture.com/decorah. Two pledge forms are available on the site; one for residential customers and the other for business customers. Persons responsible for broadband decisions at their home and business are encouraged to fill out both pledge forms. On the page for each pledge form are the proposed prices for internet, cable tv, and telephone services.

Jim Fritz is with Decorah Fast Fiber, the citizens group that has advocated for a community broadband network for the past three years. The group’s effort resulted in a 93% positive vote in the telecommunications referendum in November 2015. Fritz says the group is hoping that Decorah citizens will show the same kind of community spirit with the fiber pledge as they did with the referendum.
“We strongly encourage everyone to take the Decorah Fiber Pledge to show your support for a community-owned fiber network to bring better broadband to everyone.”

Jarrad Walter, Chair, Telecommunications Utility Commission

Chad Bird, City of Decorah, City Manager

In November 2015, an overwhelming majority of Decorah citizens (94%) voted YES to the formation of a municipal telecommunications utility. The measure was supported by the community so strongly because of dissatisfaction with current providers and the strong belief that bringing 21st century broadband infrastructure to Decorah was vital to the community’s future growth and success.

A feasibility study was conducted to provide guidance on the likely cost of a network as well as overall financials. To continue our evaluation Decorah has retained one of the country’s most respected telecommunications consultants, CCG Consulting, to refine the original feasibility study and provide a more detailed analysis of costs and benefits. The other part of this new effort is to identify the customer base through a pledge form campaign.

The future of better broadband is in your hands! Take the Decorah Fiber Pledge to show your support for a community-owned fiber network to bring better broadband to everyone. Go to www.ourbroadbandfuture.com/decorah to find out more about the project, our planned services and prices, and to take the pledge!

For several years during annual city budget work sessions the budget & finance committee and the utility committee have been discussing the financial condition of the water and sewer utility funds.  The situation is complex and this paper will attempt to explain three key issues impacting the utilities; insufficient utility revenues, lower water consumption history, and initiatives aimed at cost containment.

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The City of Decorah’s Compost Site will be opening April 1, 2018.  In anticipation of spring clean-up, the site will have extended hours during the month of April.

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Duties of Property Owners Regarding Right of Way Trees

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)