<hr /> <i>By T.R. Hanrahan, Special to The Democrat Missourian</i> </p><p>After stops and starts over the past year, Cass Broadband might be back on track.</p><p>The Cass County Commission today is expected to select an engineering firm for the $26 million project designed to bring high-speed data, voice and video service to unserved and underserved portions of the county. The reset became necessary after the commission parted ways with Harrisonville based Universal Asset Management last fall.</p><p>Last week, the Commission heard a presentation from Pulse Broadband outlining possible scenarios for the project&#x92;s implementation. Based on those scenarios and an analysis of the qualifications of firms vying for the project, the Commission will decide how to proceed. </p><p>The Pulse scenarios are based on the percentage of cable to be installed underground versus above ground on utility poles. Pulse provided the county with numbers for options based on 100 percent, 85 percent, 70 percent and 55 percent underground installation. North District Associate Commissioner Brian Baker says it will likely come down to cost.</p><p>&#x93;I thought they gave four very viable options,&#x94; he said. &#x93;We are going to have to look at the financing a little bit. I think the 55 percent buried and 45 percent above ground or the 70/30 are definitely plausible. We would have to look at the best financial plan for the county to make the project finish out properly.&#x94;</p><p>The determination of the delivery method will also depend on the firm the county engages for the project. </p><p>The county had sent out a request for qualifications for firms in late December. The RFQ differs from a bid process in that it asks firms to show their ability to meet needs, costs and deadlines. The Commission has been reviewing those materials to reach a decision. Late last year, the county and Universal Asset Management, the previous engineering firm on the project, parted ways.</p><p>&#x93;It will go into who is most qualified, what they bring to the table,&#x94; Baker said. &#x93;All we are really doing is picking out an engineer and saying &#x91;All right, we want to negotiate with you on this project and how to move forward.</p><p>&#x93;And if those negotiations for some reason didn&#x92;t go well, we would go and pick a different one from the ones that we have been given.&#x94;</p><p>The Commission will meet to discuss the selection of an engineering firm at 9 a.m. today on the third floor at the Cass County Courthouse, 102 E. Wall St. Harrisonville.