Albemarle Broadband Authority honors Mike Culp, agrees to review BEAD support requests and appoints new administrative officer

Michael J. Culp, director of the Broadband Accessibility and Affordability Office for Albemarle County, was honored by the Albemarle Broadband Authority on a December 2024 meeting where the authority also voted to accept delegated responsibility to issue letters of support for federal/state broadband applications and appointed Eva Fuentes as the authority’s chief administrative officer.

The authority adopted a commemorative resolution recognizing Culp’s decade of work to expand broadband in Albemarle County. Chair of the Albemarle Broadband Authority moved the resolution and the board approved it by standing and applause. Culp thanked colleagues and partners, saying, “It’s been a crazy 4 or 5 years,” and noting, “my own house still doesn’t have it,” as he credited many people for the work.

The resolution text presented to the authority cited Culp’s service on the board and as chief administrator, his role directing the Broadband Accessibility and Affordability Office since its inception, and his seat on Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Broadband Advisory Council. The proclamation states that the authority “hereby proclaims and designates Mike Culp as the man who brought broadband to Albemarle,” and authorized procurement of a plaque to recognize his service.

Why it matters: Authority members said ensuring an orderly handoff and clarifying oversight responsibilities is timely because multiple state and federal programs are entering active application phases. Staff briefed the board on the federal/state BEAD/BEED application window, a JLARC review of statewide broadband programs, project closeouts and ongoing construction, and local digital equity planning.

BEAD/BEED and letters of support: Staff reported that the state’s application window for federal BEAD-related funding (referred to in the packet as the FEED/BEED processes) opened and that applications are due by March 31. Staff said the county believes 327 locations within Albemarle are BEAD-eligible (locations not currently served and not already in another project), while the state’s larger list includes more than 1,400 locations that locally include many sites already covered by existing providers or otherwise not eligible.

Because local letters of support account for 10% of application scoring, staff proposed that the board of supervisors delegate authority to the Albemarle Broadband Authority (ABBA) to issue letters of support on the county’s behalf and that the ABBA chief administrative officer evaluate requests and recommend action to ABBA under criteria the authority would adopt. The authority voted that, if offered by the board of supervisors, ABBA would accept that delegated responsibility and carry out the evaluation and recommendation role. The authority emphasized it would use completion by the end of 2026 and BEAD eligibility as principal recommendation criteria and that staff would screen and present recommendations in advance of any ABBA meetings.

Project updates and timelines: Staff reported Brightspeed closeout paperwork was submitted and that ABBA expects further six- and 12-month closeout reports; ABBA will pay its portion ($560,000) and seek reimbursement from DHCD after budget revisions are approved. Firefly and Dominion work continues in the Valley 22 build area; Dominion stringing is at about 60% and splicing about 20% of the county work, staff said. For the county’s involvement in the BEAD process staff warned that DHCD’s schedule plus typical delays could push some projects into 2031. Staff also noted BEAD non-deployment (digital equity / affordability) funds may not be available until mid‑2026.

JLARC, affordability and digital equity: Staff summarized the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study on the Commonwealth’s broadband programs, saying JLARC found limited oversight mechanisms in some projects, make‑ready permitting and project costing as barriers, and concluded the Commonwealth would not reach near‑universal coverage by 2028. The authority discussed affordability findings: statewide average broadband cost is about $50 per month and JLARC recommended a statewide subsidy for households that cannot afford broadband. The authority noted local steps already underway: a regional digital equity plan funded with $150,000 (awarded to the county) and planned community engagement; ABBA staff said the county continues a local broadband affordability supplement that keeps over 700 Albemarle households connected.

Appointment of chief administrative officer and other motions: The authority voted to appoint Eva Fuentes as ABBA chief administrative officer; the motion passed on a voice vote. Staff noted the appointment will require updated filings (for example, with the FCC and state corporate filings) to reflect the change in administrative officer. The consent agenda and meeting minutes were approved earlier in the meeting.

Public remarks and recognition: Former Albemarle County Board of Supervisors member Donna Price submitted written public comment praising Culp’s responsiveness and leadership and saying his work “brought broadband connectivity to 20,000 more people than when the authority began.” Multiple local industry partners and staff members present praised Culp’s work and thanked him for his service.

Votes at a glance: - Adopt proclamation recognizing Michael J. Culp for service to ABBA and Albemarle County — outcome: approved (voice/standing/applause; recorded affirmative votes later). Motion moved by the chair; second not specified. Notes: approved; plaque authorized. - Accept delegated authority (if offered by the Board of Supervisors) for ABBA to issue letters of support for BEAD/BEED applications and have the CAO evaluate and recommend — outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion mover/second not specified. Notes: ABBA will apply criteria (completion by end of 2026; BEAD eligibility) and staff will present recommendations in advance of meetings. - Appoint Eva Fuentes as chief administrative officer — outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion mover/second not specified. Notes: staff will update required filings with state and federal agencies. - Approve consent agenda and meeting minutes — outcome: approved (voice vote).

What’s next: ABBA staff said they will advertise to prospective providers known to have submitted letters of intent to DHCD, present evaluation criteria and timelines to ABBA and the board of supervisors, and continue closeout and construction oversight for Brightspeed and Valley 22. The regional digital equity plan is expected in spring following community engagement.

(Reporting note: the authority’s packet and staff presentation, and written public comments from Donna Price, were cited during the meeting.)