Elko City Council has put in motion a plan to lease out a portion of the city’s dark fiber to increase broadband capabilities, which may in turn boost economic development.

The council agreed at its Nov. 27 meeting to direct city staff to draft a lease, which will come back to the council for action.

Councilman and Mayor-elect Reece Keener said the city is missing an opportunity every day the fiber isn’t used. He is part of the Elko Broadband Action Team.

“We need to get off the pot and make a decision on this,” he said Tuesday.

“The sooner we can get this done, the better,” said Councilwoman Mandy Simons.

The council motion suggested by Mayor Chris Johnson states that the lease will be “at minimum value as appraised,” a value the city’s information systems director, Troy Poncin, estimated at $50 per month per strand mile.

Poncin said the $50 is based on talking with other cities. Keener said the Mighty River contractor used by the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology was confident in the $50 number, as well. The city’s proposal is for a five-year lease.