Task force makes request for broadband funds

A request for matching funds was brought to the Ector County Commissioners’ Court Tuesday by the ConnEctor Task Force.

If the county and other entities chip in, it would give the task force a chance at funds from the state Broadband Development Office.

The ConnEctor Task Force was established in 2020 during the pandemic. Ector County ISD Chief Technology Officer Kellie Wilks, George Marshall, broadband development public sector and Michael Mitchell, services account executive, both from Insight in Austin, presented on the benefits of providing broadband to the community. Marshall said Insight is acting as a technical advisor to ConnEctor.

Wilks requested matching funds from the American Rescue Plan money. She gave a range of $1.5 million to $10 million. Wilks said $10 million total is what they need.

Commissioners didn’t indicate a decision on this.

“That’s local, private and public funding,” she said. “They could give $25.”

The ConnEctor Task Force has been going along under the radar and now they are ready to open an office. Wilks doesn’t know where they would set up shop yet.

“We need to hire an executive director and determine … space needs first, but it’ll be here in Ector County somewhere,” Wilks said.

She said they will be going to other entities, too.

“This is the first stop, so there will be other entities, like I said, private and public,” Wilks said.

Surveys were conducted that determined that 39 percent of families did not have internet access and those that did found it expensive and/or of poor quality.

ECISD partnered with Starlink because there was a need for students in West and South Odessa to have internet immediately. Some 120 families now have Starlink service.

Wilks said they caught the attention of the Dallas Fed, which developed an initiative to help communities in Texas and New Mexico find and implement cost-effective ways to permanently close their digital divide.

“We partnered with Magellan through the Dallas Fed and created our first digital acceleration plan,” she added.

She said they are at the point this year where they need to establish funding to establish a public-private partnership, or P3 organization, and hire an executive director.

“If we do this, we’re in a good position to get funding from the state,” Wilks said.

In his presentation, Marshall said traditional public-private partnerships (P3s) are contractual arrangements where the resources, risks and rewards are shared between the public and private sectors to provide greater efficiency and better access to capital.

Through this agreement, the skills and assets of each sector (public and private) are employed to deliver a service or facility for the use for the general public.

The public’s interests are fully assured through provisions in the contracts that provide for ongoing monitoring and oversight, the presentation detailed.

In other business, commissioners:

• Approved reappointing Gus Ortega to the Board of Trustees of PermiaCare for a two-year term beginning June 26 to June 25, 2024.
• Approved a request by UTPB Career Services, Division of Student Affairs and Leadership, for Ector County to serve as a host site for interns and to allow Department Heads/Elected Officials to sign the worksite agreements for their respective departments.
• Approved a proposed ban of rockets with sticks and missiles with fins for the 4th of July fireworks season, authorizing the County Judge, County Commissioners, and other county officials and employees to sign all documents associated with this agenda item.
• Approved applying for unclaimed property capital credits for counties.
• To consider, discuss, approve and take any necessary action to appoint two commissioners as members of the board which appoints/reappoints the Purchasing Agent.
• To consider, discuss, and take any necessary action regarding public nuisance abatement procedures for property located at 7006 N. Golder, Swink Addition, Block 1 Lots 1 – 3, Ector County, Texas (Precinct 1) and authorize the County Judge to sign.
• Approved donating Units 1066 and 1080 with light bar to the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department.
• Approved a temporary portable building for an animal shelter.
• Approved the purchase of a replacement vehicle that was totaled in an accident and approve a budget amendment to General Fund, Post Sentence Monitoring, Motor Vehicle Equipment, 001-425-5505 for $49,450, to Insurance Proceeds for $20,354, from Unreserved Fund Balance, 001-3310 for $29,093.
• Approved the purchase of Ledwell 12/14 yd Box Dump Truck for the Public Works Department (approved in the Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 Budget) in the amount of $146,061.02 from Sales Tax Account 005-810-5505 and authorize the County Judge to sign.
• Approved the purchase of a Ledwell 4000 Gallon Water Truck for the Public Works Department (approved in the Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 Budget) in the amount of $162,050.00 from Sales Tax Account 005-810-5505 and authorize the County Judge to sign.
• Approved the purchase of a 2022 John Deere 524 P Wheel Loader for the Public Works Department (approved in the Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 Budget) in the amount of $206,499.00 from Sales Tax Account 005-810-5505 and authorize the County Judge to sign.
• Approved Public Entity Employment- Related Practices Liability Additional Information Request Application for Oct. 1, 2022 – Oct. 1, 2023, policy term and authorize the County Judge to sign.
• Approved a proposal for the abatement of junked vehicles.
• Approved the renewal of bids for Building Maintenance Housekeeping Supplies and Building Maintenance Housekeeping Equipment with an increase in cost for Housekeeping Supplies starting Oct. 1, 2022, and authorize the County Judge to sign.
• Approved the subscription agreement with Verizon Connect.
• Approved an agreement with Global Asset on the recycle, recover, and disposal of Information Technology and Telecommunications equipment.
• Approved changing the job description from Project Manager to Director of Planning and Zoning and authorize the County Judge to sign.
• Approved hiring temporary administrative help during the absence of Department Coordinator.
• Approved amending the existing regulations in Exhibit G: Manufactured Home Rental Community Standards, to include any transient lodging and temporary housing facilities such as, but not limited to, workforce and/or man camps to be effective July 1, 2022.
• Approved a revised Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy for Ector County.
• Approved MHRC plans for 4015 East Poppy Drive, a 3 acre tract of land located in Lots 11 and 12, Block 22, Gardendale Subdivision, 2nd Filing, a Subdivision of Ector County, Texas (Precinct 2).
• Approved taking any necessary action on E& H Estates, a Subdivision of 50.00 acres in Section 6, Block 42, T-4-S, T& P RY Company Survey, Ector County, Texas (Precinct 4).
• Approved a line item transfer to General Fund, Medical Examiner, Office Supplies, 001-215-5171 from Autopsy Services, 001-215-5305 for $2,000.
• Approved a budget amendment to Equipment Services Fund, Motor Vehicle Fuel, 051-770-5202 and to Sales Tax District Maintenance, 051-4124 for $400,000.