Broadband Board Updates Commissioners
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Broadband Board Updates Commissioners
MT 43 News Staff
Broadband Advisory Board Chairman Vic Sample urged Broadwater County commissioners at their regular meeting on Sept. 20 to assist internet service providers interested in installing broadband service throughout the county. Broadwater reportedly has the second-poorest internet service in Montana, behind Wibaux County.
The federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program has allocated $628 million to the Montana Communications Advisory Council to help pay for the installation of broadband internet service in the state. Under the program’s guidelines, cities and counties are urged to form partnerships with internet service providers. The providers must put up a 25 percent match of cash or in-kind services. Sample pointed out that the $628 million will not cover the cost of outfitting all Montanans with broadband internet service, so competition among service providers will be brisk.
Several months ago, the commissioners formed the advisory board to pursue getting high-speed internet service to rural Broadwater County. Advisory board members have attended state council meetings and reached out to internet service providers interested in laying fiber optic cables in Broadwater County. Only Montana Internet of Helena and Montana Opticom of Bozeman have shown interest.
The goal is to get fiber internet to as many households as possible, Sample said. Commissioner Lindsey Richtmyer, who also sits on the advisory board, interjected that the program is for fiber only and that some rural households will still need satellite or fixed wireless service.
Sample encouraged the commissioners to use in-kind matches such as waiving fees for internet service providers so they can rate higher on the State Department of Administration’s rating list for funds. County fees for crossing county roads, allowing service providers to lay their cable in trenching projects already in progress and paying for a third-party feasibility study as well as providing an office in Townsend would help meet the match. He also suggested the study include engineering the internet provider’s proposed map, called a polygon, of the Broadwater County internet service.
Sample cautioned the commissioners that getting better service to Montana counties is a long and arduous process. “Even if we have a provider who wins the award, it would be at least four years before any work would begin,” he said.
The commissioners accepted the Advisory Board’s recommendation to appoint Spencer Sellay to fill the board’s open position.
Flu and Covid Vaccine Update
Public Health Director Ruby Taylor reported the new strain of COVID has shown up in Broadwater County. She noted 15 cases had been reported, some of which were in the long-term care unit of the hospital. “The staff is doing a good job containing the outbreak,” she said.
Taylor said she will have the new round of vaccines available in the next few weeks. In the meantime, people who have symptoms should test themselves. Out-of-date tests can still be used successfully. Flu vaccines are ready for use. She suggested people call for an appointment, but walk-ins to the department are welcome. She also has Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines available as well.
City County Agreement
The commissioners approved an agreement with the city of Townsend whereby County Attorney Cory Swanson and his deputies will assume the city’s criminal prosecution duties, responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor cases. The city is to pay the county $1,525 a month for this service. City Attorney Peter Simon will no longer be responsible for prosecutions.
In other business, the commission:
Authorized the sheriff’s department to purchase two new patrol vehicles and two administrative vehicles.
Approved a budget amendment requested by county finance officer Debbie Kelley.
Approved a one-year extension to the county’s lease of office space to the state Department of Revenue.
