County staff detail $30 million broadband MIP work and return of hydroelectric credits

County staff told legislators the county's broadband MIP (Municipal Infrastructure Program) project requires substantial internal project-management effort and that multiple county offices are engaged in administration and reporting for the $30,000,000 investment.

Heather Jackse (staff member) described the broadband effort as "almost all consuming" for those involved, naming the county manager's office, ITS, grants administration, planning, OMB and the county attorney's office as engaged in project management and reporting. Jackse said the office and grant teams have worked to secure the funding and that a grant writer is scheduled to start on April 21 to add capacity to the grants department.

Jackse also reported that Unit 1 of the county hydroelectric plant is back online and that Unit 2 is expected to return sometime in May. She said the county will again receive the full credits generated from the plant when both units are operating.

Separately, Jackse mentioned the county is tracking a large, utility-scale solar project proposed on the town line between Thompson and Forestburgh (developer RWE Solar) and said county staff had located the Department of Public Service master docket number to follow documents and public comments. She said there are meetings scheduled to introduce the project to the community and that county staff have produced a map of existing conditions to inform future discussions. Jackse said further decisions about how involved the county will be have not yet been made.