By Mark Wineka

mwineka@salisburypost.com

Salisbury City Council will take another step Tuesday toward getting into the fiber-optic cable business.

Council members will hold a public hearing on an "installment financing agreement," then consider a resolution authorizing the negotiation of an installment financing contract.

It is part of the process of issuing debt for the city's "Fiber to the Home" project, which will establish a new city utility offering telephone, television and Internet services.

The fiber-optic project carries an estimated $30 million startup cost.

City officials have said they can get into the cable business without having an impact on Salisbury's property tax rate.

The resolution would authorize Mayor Susan Kluttz and Management Services Director John Sofley to negotiate an installment financing contract on the city's behalf.

It also would direct Sofley to file an application with the Local Government Commission, which must approve the financing proposal.

Council meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 217 S. Main St. In other agenda items, the council will:

- Receive a report from staff on city street lighting.

- Consider a resolution asking the N.C. Department of Transportation to name the Interstate 85 bridge over East Innes Street in honor of slain federal agent David Wilhelm.

- Receive a staff report on street maintenance in the Hidden Creek subdivision.

- Consider a budget amendment reflecting $24,200 in donations toward the Community Appearance Commission's Public Art Program.

- Consider a petition and ordinance to allow parking on the east side of Old South Main Street.

- Consider closing an alley in the 1200 block of Blair Street.- Hear an update from Lou Manning on the Internal Revenue Service's VITA tax-help site at the Park Avenue Community Center.

- Proclaim Tuesday as National Night Out.

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