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Cochise County to renew E‑Rate consulting agreement to support rural library internet
Summary
Board heard a briefing on renewing a three‑year agreement with Yavapai County to provide E‑Rate consulting for Cochise County’s five rural library branches; consulting costs $2,500 annually while reimbursements to branches run about $12,000–$15,000 per year.
Cochise County supervisors heard a briefing May 29 on renewing an E‑Rate consulting agreement for the county’s rural library branches.
Amity Ricketts, identified in the meeting as the library representative, told the Board the county has used the Yavapai County educational service agency for E‑Rate consulting since 2017 and that each contract period runs three years. “The reimbursement is based on the rate of free lunch in the school district here. So we do get reimbursed about 85% of the cost of that Internet service,” Ricketts said. She said the consulting costs $2,500 a year and the county receives about $12,000–$15,000 in reimbursements annually from the federal E‑Rate program.
Supervisor Crosby and County staff confirmed libraries provide filtered Wi‑Fi in compliance with federal and state law. County staff noted public libraries must comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act; Ricketts said the county libraries are in compliance.
The Board did not take action at the work session; the item is scheduled for the June 3 library district meeting as a consent item to renew the agreement and continue E‑Rate consulting services. The consent calendar listing and related agenda packet materials will be posted with the meeting agenda.
Background: The federal E‑Rate program (Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund) reimburses a portion of eligible communications services for schools and libraries. The county briefing emphasized the program’s complexity and the need for consulting to maximize reimbursements for rural branches.
What’s next: The renewal will appear on the June 3 library district consent agenda for formal approval.
