Supervisor Robinson gave a detailed update on broadband BEAD allocations and the county task force’s work, saying federal changes to the program altered technical and policy criteria and that a significant portion of the county is now tentatively assigned to SpaceX/Starlink.

Robinson summarized changes to the federal process and how the Public Service Commission’s map and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) benefit-of-the-bargain approach shifted awards. "The result of the revised numbers are that there's a heavy emphasis on SpaceX in the county," Robinson said. He noted that areas previously proposed for fiber or fixed wireless by local providers were reassigned after new federal criteria and that legal challenges had been filed.

Robinson said that because federal and state agencies now control much of the policy and award process, the county task force should be discontinued: "There really isn't an official role given the changes in the regulatory environment and how those funds are being distributed." He said the county has stopped payments to Bug Tussel pending resolution of contract and financial concerns related to a southern-loop project; the county retains leverage through that payment pause.

Robinson and other committee members expressed a preference for fiber where feasible, citing reliability, law-enforcement connectivity and future needs such as higher AI data demands. He also said that some areas served by Starlink may receive service sooner because satellite installations do not require multi-year build-out timelines.

No county action was taken to change BEAD allocations. Robinson said the county will monitor litigation, federal guidance and vendor performance and will continue to engage as appropriate.