iProvo could win OK today

PROVO — It's literally getting down to the wire for Provo City Council members.

Tonight, they face the monumental decision of whether or not to finance iProvo, the city's proposed fiber optic telecommunications project.

"Personally, I am kind of getting sick of iProvo," said Councilwoman Midge Johnson, who spent Monday contacting her constituents to get a better sense of public opinion. "I think the council has done their homework, and now it is time to decide."

The residents Johnson has spoken with favor iProvo 2-1, she said. She thinks the council will approve the project tonight, though she won't decide on her vote until the last voice is heard at the public hearing.

"I'm trying to get the people to tell me what they want," Johnson said. "I'm not trying to set up a coup or anything."

If passed, a $39.5 million bond will be used to finance construction of the network — using sales tax revenue as collateral — which will eventually lease ultra high-capacity bandwidth to private businesses. Those businesses, in turn, will provide services like high-speed Internet and cable television to local residents.

The project's large price tag and the council's ultimate power in deciding the issue has created growing criticism among a public that remains unsure about a high-tech Provo.

"I feel like this council was elected to reflect the values of this unique community," said Dixie Baker, who describes herself as a concerned citizen. "This will not strengthen homes. This is a moral issue."

Baker, along with other residents, has been collecting signatures requesting iProvo's fate be put on the ballot for voters to decide rather than leaving it to a handful of council members.

In order to get the issue on the ballot, 20 percent of the city's registered voters must sign a petition by Wednesday.

While Baker didn't know exactly how many signatures had been gathered, she expressed doubt that there were enough — a consequence, she said, of a strategically timed iProvo vote, which coincided with the busy holiday season.

"We're trying to blitz the City Council," she said. "Our only hope is to be able to influence some of the council members. If not, this is a dead issue."

"This administration is going to get their way, one way or another," said former Councilwoman Shari Holweg. "It is absolutely disgusting."