§ 11-2002 — Formation of broadband service district authority; purpose; funding

A. A group of individuals, businesses or organizations in a county with a population of more than two hundred thousand persons and less than two hundred ten thousand persons may petition the county board of supervisors to form a broadband service district authority for any of the following purposes:

1. Facilitating the expansion and maintenance of broadband infrastructure.

2. Securing and managing funding for broadband projects.

3. Establishing guidelines and goals for broadband performance and accessibility.

4. Supporting policies and initiatives that promote broadband deployment.

B. The authority may receive funding from the following:

1. Government agencies or private organizations.

2. Services fees that are charged to the users of the broadband services who have elected to receive and use the broadband services and that are used to maintain and operate the broadband services.

C. The authority may not deploy last mile residential broadband.

D. The authority may not levy any new taxes. The authority may collect and remit applicable taxes.

E. An authority organized under this chapter is a public, political and municipal corporation to the extent of the powers and privileges conferred by this chapter or granted generally to municipal corporations by the constitution and laws of this state, including immunity of its property and revenue taxation.