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County administrator: Benzie not required to resubmit BEAD plan; officials flag federal shifts in broadband funding
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Summary
County Administrator Katie Zeits told commissioners on June 24 that Benzie County (with Ingham County) was not required to re-submit its BEAD broadband plan, but federal preferences for non-fiber technologies have prompted calls for states to reassess projects; she also announced a TARP groundbreaking, staff events, and committee openings.
BEULAH, Mich. — County Administrator Katie Zeits updated the Benzie County Board of Commissioners on June 24 about broadband funding, staffing and upcoming events.
Zeits told commissioners that federal changes to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program are shifting some federal preferences toward non-fiber technologies such as satellite, and that states have been urged to reassess planned projects. She said Benzie County and Ingham County were the only two Michigan counties not asked to re-submit their BEAD plans, a status officials said should leave Benzie’s project well positioned at the federal review level.
Zeits also announced a July 11 groundbreaking for the TARP project in Thompsonville Park at 11 a.m.; said the Frankfort recycling site is seeking a permanent location; and reminded staff and commissioners of FOIA, Open Meetings Act and closed-session training being treated as a public meeting this Friday. She noted committee appointments currently open — including the Benzie/Leelanau Health Department Board of Appeals, Economic Development Committee, Parks and Recreation and the Benzie Transportation Authority — and said job postings are listed on the county website.
On community engagement, Zeits said she attended a Community Coffee in Lake Ann and proposed creating a County Executives Luncheon to improve networking between local executives. She also reported that an assistant, Stephanie Henao, is leaving and that the position will be posted.
No formal board action was taken on the BEAD matter; Zeits’ briefing was informational. Commissioners did vote later in the meeting to amend the study-session schedule and approve several procurement and budget items discussed elsewhere on the agenda.