Someone once said if you are going to have to kiss a pig, put a lot of lipstick on it. You can't put enough on this pig to do the job. First of all UTOPIA forecast, business plan, or lack there of, were not only bogus but unattainable. They couldn't sell the revenue bonds because private investors wouldn't touch them, they couldn't get it financed without taxpayer dollars. They went to the government with their hand out to have the Rural eletric association pop for 16 million or so, apparently someone in the REA could read and said no thanks, now it's their fault this is failing.
Murray Councilman Brass said it's the lesser of two evils, I suppose he has never heard of.....if the tides coming in and the boat is going to be pulled under, you need to cut the rope if you can't get the anchor up. Twenty plus municipalities in different parts of the USA tried a fiber network, they too went under, so it will be no surprise when UTOPIA goes under.....only a matter of time. E.T.Barnum said it best "A fool(the taxpayer)and his money are soon parted". The State should audit this pig.

Dear John: (Always wanted to say that!) Oh my, where to start. UTOPIA's forecasts were based on best available information, and its results have been quite close to those projections. The bonds were in fact sold to private investors (Bank of America) and private investors are lined up to purchase the next round of bonds. I'm not sure what you're refering to with the rural electric association. There is a Rural Utility Service which has reneged on contracts it approved (the root of the current problem and probably the $16 million you're refering to although your numbers are wrong.) There are plenty of successful municipal projects - you've been reading too much Utah Taxpayers Association/Heartland Institute/Reason Foundation propaganda. And finally, as a public entity, UTOPIA is audited every year. Get your facts straight.