Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners

Directors' Update: May 31, 2023

Business Meeting: June 6, 2023

Summary:

Approving a contract with Washington State University in which Lewis County accepts funds for work done by the Lewis County Broadband Action Team (LCBAT) on a Broadband Action Plan and Digital Equity Plan, which funds it will hold as fiscal sponsor for the LCBAT and disburse at the LCBAT's written direction for future broadband promotion or planning efforts.

Publications:

Cover Letter To: Frank Corbin, President, Lewis County Broadband Action Team and Janean Parker, Secretary, Lewis County Broadband Action Team via email to frank.corbin@comcast.net and Lewiscountybat@gmail.com. It can be one letter with both addressees.

Additional Copies To:

Resolution

WHEREAS, the Washington State Broadband Office has contracted with the Washington State University (WSU) to engage local broadband action teams in broadband action planning and digital equity planning; and

WHEREAS, such local planning is required to feed into a statewide Broadband Action Plan and Digital Equity Plan, which are prerequisites to significant state and federal broadband grant funding; and

WHEREAS, Lewis County is in need of expanded broadband services and can benefit significantly from grant funding eligibility to reach remote, rural locations that the private market has not adequately served; and

WHEREAS, the Lewis County Broadband Action Team (LCBAT) — a citizens' group with participation from local governments, internet service providers, residents, and other stakeholders interested in broadband expansion — has surveyed local community members and institutions and is engaged in broadband action planning and digital equity planning at WSU's request; and

WHEREAS, the LCBAT can receive compensation from WSU for this significant amount of work, but is not incorporated or otherwise in a form to receive and account for such funds; and

WHEREAS, the funds can be used productively for future broadband promotion or digital equity efforts; and

WHEREAS, Lewis County can receive and account for such funds as fiscal sponsor of the LCBAT, disbursing the funds at the LCBAT's written direction to further its future broadband and digital equity efforts; and

WHEREAS, WSU's representatives have proposed a contract to enable this method by which LCBAT can receive the compensation it is due, and thereby further its efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) finds this contract -- and the furthering of the LCBAT's broadband action planning and digital equity efforts -- to be in the public interest.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the contract with Washington State University to accept funds for Broadband Action and Digital Equity Planning work done by the Lewis County Broadband Action Team (LCBAT), as fiscal sponsor for the LCBAT, is approved. Eric Eisenberg is directed to sign on behalf of Lewis County.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 6th day of June, 2023.