Provo has been trying to unload their fiber network for a long time. I don't see this as a backroom deal that only benefits Google, but rather somebody finally putting the "under contract" sign above the "for sale" sign.

That nobody else came calling (or offered deals as good as Google's) is not Google nor Provo's fault.

From a taxpayer perspective, they get to stop paying for the upkeep on what is currently an unprofitable system. And those who keep paying for it get a significant upgrade.