On Monday, Columbus City Council Member A. Troy Miller will introduce legislation authorizing the City’s Department of Technology to apply for a $37.9 million grant to fund the implementation of a new wireless broadband internet network aimed at improving city services and driving economic development.
An example of one type of service upgrade would be the implementation of new wireless water meter reading systems. “Currently, we have individuals who are out on foot to read water meters, “explained Miller. “This wireless system could allow us to operate a single vehicle driving down the street to collect data remotely. It would also reduce errors and help with compliance, as we could easily monitor excess usage and detect system leaks or tampering.”
Other cities have used similar wireless networks to connect everything from police and emergency services to traffic signals to transit system operations to wireless parking meters. “This network will open doors for high tech companies in Columbus to approach the city with new ideas and build applications that we can use not only in our city, but all across the country,” said Miller.
Currently, the city is focusing on a three-part plan designed to maintain neighborhood services and develop our economic future. One part of that plan is the income tax increase, but another important part is the streamlining of existing city services and operations to make local government more efficient. “This network will allow for efficiencies that we didn’t have before,” said Miller, who chairs the Administration Committee which includes the City of Columbus’ Department of Technology.
The grant submission is due by August 14th, and Miller was confident that Columbus is a great candidate for receiving these resources. He expects to hear more in November on the status of the funding.