Broadband Feasibility Study to be presented at Okeechobee County Commission meeting May 27

Posted 5/26/21

OKEECHOBEE – A presentation on the Okeechobee County Broadband Feasibility Study is on the agenda for the May 27 meeting of the Okeechobee County Board of Commissioners.

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Broadband Feasibility Study to be presented at Okeechobee County Commission meeting May 27

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OKEECHOBEE – A presentation on the Okeechobee County Broadband Feasibility Study is on the agenda for the May 27 meeting of the Okeechobee County Board of Commissioners.

At the Nov. 25, 2020 commission meeting, the board received a presentation from Dustin Jurman, CEO of Rapid Systems Corporation and engaged Rapid Systems Corporation to complete a broadband feasibility Study for Okeechobee County for $25,000.

Jurman performed field analysis, research, and contacted stakeholders of Okeechobee County regarding broadband needs for Okeechobee County. The customer base consisted of the Okeechobee County government facilities, Okeechobee Utility Authority, Educational Facilities and residential broadband.

Rapid Systems performed extensive mapping via the FCC databases, performed residential and business broadband availability research within Okeechobee County, performed residential and business broadband surveys as well as modeled several broadband business models and deployment scenarios based on different funding options.

At 10 a.m. on May 27, Jurman and Ken Conklin will present their findings.

In other business at the May 27 meeting:

• The board will consider grant agreement with the Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation in the amount of $250,000, to be used along with other grants to construct a building at the Okeechobee County Industrial Park in Okeechobee County for economic development purposes.

• Commissioners will be asked to approve the purchase of 125 holiday decorations in the amount of $54,227. After the 2020 Holiday season, commissioners directed staff to solicit bids for new holiday decorations to replace the current fixtures the county owns due to them being outdated, and the dilapidated and aesthetically unappealing appearance they present. The holiday decorations currently owned by Okeechobee County were purchased in May, 2003. They have been in use ever since, requiring substantial maintenance and repair each year, prior to being hung on light poles throughout the county during the holiday season. The current fixtures are in poor condition, due to age and wear. Some are severely rusted due to the original powder coating deteriorating. Many are warped due to age and the strain of the weight they bear during their time being mounted on the poles. Due to their age and obsolescence, the incandescent rope light that is used on them has become increasingly more difficult to obtain, resulting in many small splices and less than preferable repairs due to a lack of available materials.

• Donna Doubleday, Chief Executive Officer of CareerSource Heartland will provide a report on the workforce development and activities in Okeechobee County.

• Commissioners will be asked to approve the purchase of a 2021 Sutphen Extreme Duty Custom Pumper from South Florida Emergency Vehicles in the amount of $485,107.00, using the Sourcewell Contract.

• Commissioners will be asked to approve the purchase of One 2020 Type 1 Ambulance from South Florida Vehicles using Sourcewell Contract.

• Glenn Cale, a representative from Florida B.A.S.S. Nation will request a fee waiver for use of the C. Scott Driver Facility on Saturday, June 5, 2021 for a fishing tournament. The purpose of the tournament is to encourage participation in the Florida B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Series and promote Okeechobee County. Cale was unable to secure funding and support from the Tourism Development Council as his request came after their funding has been used for the year.

• The board will consider declaring a Safe Boating Week.

The meeting will be held in the Historic Okeechobee County Courthouse, 304 N.W. Second Street. It can be viewed live online at https://www.co.okeechobee.fl.us/

broadband, commission, Meeting, government

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