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Public Works Board upholds staff recommendation on Charter objection and conditionally awards $6.13 million for broadband projects
Summary
The Washington State Public Works Board rejected a statutory objection by Charter Communications (Spectrum Pacific West LLC) to an Okanogan PUD middle‑mile project and unanimously approved conditional ARPA‑funded awards totaling $6,131,757.57 to four projects, which must be substantially complete by Dec. 31, 2026.
The Washington State Public Works Board on June 17 determined that an objection from Charter Communications (operating as Spectrum Pacific West LLC) would not alter the board’s award decisions and unanimously approved conditional awards totaling $6,131,757.57 to four broadband projects.
Executive Director Sheila Richardson told members staff had reviewed Charter’s statutory objection to the Public Utility District No. 1 of Okanogan County’s carrier‑Ethernet backbone upgrade project with assistance from the board’s counsel, the state broadband office and the U.S. Treasury. Richardson said staff concluded the objection would "have no impact on the board's decision to fund the project," noting the project upgrades middle‑mile capacity rather than delivering last‑mile service and that federal guidance supports using unobligated ARPA capital funds for similar middle‑mile work.
"Any awarded projects must be fully complete by December 31 of this year," Max Wedding, interim programs director, told the board, emphasizing the expedited timetable for construction and the risk of recapture if deliverables are not met.
Following the objection determination, programs manager Tammy Mastro presented the staff recommendation to conditionally award $6,131,757.57 to four projects that met the minimum scoring threshold of 65 points, pending threshold checks and due diligence. Mastro summarized the competitive cycle: eight pre‑applications were received, six advanced to full applications, and the scoring rubric allocated 45 points to planning/readiness, 30 to needs/goals/impact, 15 to access and affordability, and 10 to outreach and engagement.
Mastro identified the recommended recipients in the staff presentation: a highest‑scoring Colville applicant requesting approximately $2.9 million for a northeastern Washington deployment; Kitsap Public Utility District for a rapid fiber‑to‑the‑home last‑mile deployment to about 196 unserved households; Public Utility District No. 1 of Okanogan County for a middle‑mile, countywide 400‑gigabit transport upgrade to support last‑mile providers; and a partial award for WhidbeyTel on Race and Welch Roads. "Staff action here is conditionally award $6,131,757.57 for 4 projects meeting the minimum scoring threshold of 65 points, pending threshold checks, and due diligence," Mastro read from the recommendation.
Board member Mickey Harnois moved to approve the staff recommendation; Justin Clary seconded. The board voted by voice and the chair announced the motion carried unanimously.
The record shows one member, Matt Stevie, recused himself from broadband committee votes and was noted as abstaining on those items. Board leadership repeatedly emphasized the compressed schedule: awarded projects must reach substantial completion by Dec. 31 and the U.S. Treasury indicated extensions would not be permitted.
The board thanked staff and applicants and adjourned the special meeting at 1:35 p.m.
What happens next: awards are conditional pending administrative threshold checks and due diligence; staff indicated contracts or conditional award letters will follow to document deliverables and timelines.
