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Beaver County staff: $11.9 million Verizon broadband contract, Michael Baker engagement through 2026; $813,000 state library grant included on agenda
Summary
During the Beaver County Board of Commissioners work session on Jan. 8, 2025, the county solicitor previewed upcoming agenda items including an HVAC maintenance contract, continued contracts with Michael Baker for GIS and broadband assistance, algae cleanup at Brady's Run and a state grant of $813,000 for county libraries.
During the Beaver County Board of Commissioners work session on Jan. 8, 2025, the county solicitor reviewed the next meeting’s resolutions and highlighted several items related to county facilities and infrastructure, and a public commentor asked for an update on the county broadband project.
The solicitor said the agenda for the next meeting would include an HVAC maintenance contract with Reno Brothers for courthouse facilities; continued work with Michael Baker on multiple county programs, including GIS and broadband; cleanup of algae at Brady's Run lake; an agreement involving CYS that would list the county solicitor as counsel for certain cases; replacements in CYS services; and a state grant of $813,000 for the county library system.
Later, a member of the public asked how much the county has spent on broadband and how many residents are affected. A county official responded that a recent notice shows 758 new households now have the ability to connect, though individual households still must sign up with Verizon. The official said the county’s contract obligations to Verizon total about $11,900,000 and that the work is expected to run through 2026. The official also said Verizon is paying a larger portion of installation costs and that Michael Baker will be paid for communications, GIS mapping and related services — “a couple of millions” over the contract term, according to the official.
The county official summarized the project’s stated objective: to make broadband available to properties in Beaver County that choose to subscribe. The transcript records that the county’s share of the contract and Michael Baker’s fees are part of the financial commitments through 2026; the meeting did not record a vote on the broadband contract at this session.
Also during the solicitor’s preview, the solicitor said two agenda items historically related to Brady's Run would address algae and brush cleanup; and that one agenda item would name the solicitor to provide counsel in certain CYS matters. The solicitor also said litigation and personnel matters would be discussed in executive session.
No formal votes were recorded on the items discussed during the work session; the solicitor indicated these matters would appear on the next regular agenda for board action.
