HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-15-minutes-digital-equity-plan-update-jrp2023-05-15 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
CONFERENCE ROOM
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 11:00 A.M. MAY 15, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright, Vice Chairman Brett
Wachsmith, and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Brian Carlson, Budget &
Finance Director; Mark Cook, Public Works Director; Dora Van Epps,
Fiscal Analyst; Doug Fessler, IT Director; and Joe Poire,
Consultant.
SPECIAL MEETING DIGITAL EQUALITY PLAN COMMISSIONERS
At 11:00 a.m. Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting to receive an
update on the digital equity plan.
Joe Poire, Consultant, provided an update on the grant funds that
were awarded from the Washington State Broadband Office – Broadband
Infrastructure Grant Program, in the amount of $11,366,102.00, from
the 2021-2023 Capital Budget appropriation. He provided a list of
the Broadband funding timelines. Mr. Poire said the plan needs to be
completed by June 14, 2023. The executive summary still needs to be
drafted and offered to have his group complete it by that date.
There was discussion on amending the contract to include that work,
amount of $15,000.00. The funds could come out of the $60,000.00
that were awarded to WSU for County sub-recipients for Broadband
Action Planning and Digital Equity Planning. Brian Carlson said he
could put the amendment on his Finance Study Session with the Board
later in the week.
There was information shared on the infrastructure plan and the
unserved areas. The next step is for the Board to consider what part
of the County they would like for future improvements. Commissioner
Osiadacz said she wanted assurance that there’s competition in the
future. Doug Fessler, IT Director, reviewed the dark fibers that are
available to use as well.
Mr. Poire discussed other grant funding and said he would like to
meet with Mr. Carlson and Mr. Cook to discuss what the project
management would look like for the future.
The meeting was concluded at 11:59 a.m.
2023-05-15 MINUTES 2
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Cory Wright, Chairman