BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho officials on Tuesday approved paying $930,000 in attorney fees after losing a long legal battle over an illegal statewide contract for broadband in public schools.

Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and three other members of the State Board of Examiners unanimously approved making the payment.

The decision follows a ruling earlier this month by the Idaho Supreme Court upholding a lower court's ruling voiding the statewide contract.

A consortium of Idaho telephone companies called Syringa Networks sued the state in 2009 contending that the Department of Administration illegally handed Qwest the $60 million contract to install the broadband infrastructure.

A district court agreed but Idaho appealed to the Idaho Supreme Court and lost.

More From News Radio 1310 KLIX