The Wills Point City Council met June 14, taking on an agenda that included multiple bookkeeping items. Despite the listed items, the lion’s share of the council’s attention centered on a presentation made by former Wills Point Mayor Scott McGriff.

McGriff notified officials of a plan by Community Internet Providers to begin canvassing the city in the upcoming months as part of a fiber rollout initiative.

Said McGriff, “We are rolling out some new things and we wanted you to hear it from us first – we have applied for and received a permit from the county to start canvassing the Juanita Street neighborhood over the next couple of months. We want to get out in front of it…Number one, we want to thank you guys for seeing the future and how important communication is for our community. You guys are ahead of the curve compared to a lot of communities our size. We appreciate your forward thinking. We are really going to jump in wholeheartedly with fiber…When we decided to pick a city to go all-in, how would we do that? There is no place like home. This is our home and we want to do it right here.”

McGriff went on to explain that CIP’s current plan will divide the city into four quadrants and other subsections for canvassing purposes.

“When you roll out something like fiber optic, because of the expense, it is going to be in some type of circular pattern. You begin in the center of town and then build outward because that is how fiber works…In your July meeting, we are going to request a blanket utility service permit for the entire city. We want to ask it one time to lay fiber in your easement.”

McGriff went on to add that CIP would still come to city offices to advise which areas would be canvassed at any given time to alleviate confusion from homeowners.

Following public comment, the council approved several items including the purchase of a new vehicle for the Wills Point Economic Development Corporation not to exceed $70,000 and the submission of an application for a grant from the Sabine River Authority that will go towards infrastructure improvements.

In other business:

-The council approved the reappointment of Ken Byrd to the Wills Point Economic Development Corporation.

-The next Wills Point City Council meeting is scheduled to take place July 12 at the City Hall building located at 518 Houston Street.