Having reliable Internet access is regarded as a basic necessity these days, but in remote rural areas, it is still difficult to get access. According to the Federal Communications Commission, “In rural areas, nearly one-fourth of the population —14.5 million people—lack access to this service.”
On March 20, Humboldt County Librarian Jessica Anderson asked the Humboldt County Board of Commissioners to approve a request for a project that would give fiber Internet access to the McDermitt and Denio library branches. The request was approved in a split-vote, (4-1) with Commissioner Tom Hoss in opposition.
“Reliable Internet access is a lifeline that many people can only access in public areas such as work, school, or the library either due to the lack of availability or cost,” explained Anderson in an email.
The project will cost a total of $7,268,875, but thanks to funding from the state and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 100 percent of the project will be covered, with zero direct project costs falling on the County or the Library.
“Increasing the capabilities of public Internet at the rural branch libraries improves the access to important resources and information for topics in areas such as health, education, and business, as well as providing a connection that can bridge distance and generations, expand the reach of library services and programming, and bring new technology capabilities to the library,” said Anderson.
The Library will be taking advantage of funds from the FCC’s E-Rate program, which “provides discounts for telecommunications, Internet access, and internal connections to eligible schools and libraries,” that will cover 90 percent of the project costs.
The remaining 10 percent of project costs will also be covered through an additional discount the state is offering for “special construction charges for high-speed broadband that meets the FCC’s long-term connectivity targets.”
Both are part of larger efforts by the state and government to reach a goal of helping schools and libraries to have affordable Internet access.
“Without these cost savings, the price to get Fiber to these branch libraries and communities is cost-prohibitive," Anderson said. "79.7% of Nevadans had access to the Internet within their homes in 2021 according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and I believe a large part of that is cost related to the availability of service."
The cost for high speed Internet that will be paid by the library, once the fiber project is finished, will be $3,140 for the first year and $2,640 for each subsequent year within a three year contract.
According to officials, the fiber will also help improve Internet reliability for neighboring areas, has the potential to improve cell phone coverage, and will have significant public safety advantages. However, the project is approximately two to three years out due to construction timelines and availability of materials.
“It will benefit public safety not only for the state but also for Humboldt County,” said Humboldt County Technology Services Department Communications/TV Director Ric Grantham.
Commissioners Tom Hoss and Ron Cerri questioned the usefulness of installing hard fiber when there have been so many developments with satellite Internet, but Grantham explained that the satellites actually still communicate with fiber in the ground and in-ground fiber optics are not as subject to bad weather and other conditions, so they are reliable.
“The project will bring fiber into Denio and McDermitt, this allows for future expansion to the community and businesses within the community,” said Anderson.
In other Commission news:
• Pleasant Senior Center Director Brandie Pettis presented an update to the Board regarding challenges that the Center is facing with the costs of living, medical care, and other expenses for senior citizens rising significantly.
Pettis explained that food costs for the Center are already increasing significantly and coupled with rent at local senior residences increasing as well, the Center is seeing extra strain and may be asking the County for funds during their next budget cycle.
• The Commissioners reviewed a site survey of a potential location for a new Buildings and Grounds Department facility near Sage Heights.
According to Farr West Engineering, the project is estimated to cost between $2.6 and $3.2 million, for a 6,500-8000 square foot facility. Currently, the Buildings and Grounds Department operates out of space underneath the Humboldt County Courthouse, but has outgrown the space.
Farr West representatives explained that a new facility would not only solve space problems, but would address code-compliance issues in the current building.
• Commissioners approved a request by Humboldt County Comptroller Gina Rackley to enter into an audit agreement with Drake Rose & Associates for five years.
• The Commissioners heard an update regarding self-insured insurance plans for County employees.
• The Board approved Humboldt County Treasurer Rhona Lecumberry’s request to deem $240.91 in property tax uncollectible due to the closure of the business.
• The Board set zone change requests for RH-23-12, RH-23-13, RH-23-14 to public hearing.
• A request by Humboldt County Assessor Andy Heiser to contract a county-wide ortho flight aerial imagery was approved in a split vote, with Commissioner Ron Cerri in opposition.
The total cost for the aerial imagery flight will be $2,337,582.24 in total, paid in installments.
According to Heiser, the quality of the imagery compared to other mapping, such as Google Maps, is far superior. Local law enforcement agencies and other departments will also have access to the imagery, which have a wide range of applications.
Heiser also said that he has been saving up in the technology budget for his office for this project specifically, so there will be no fiscal impact. Additionally, there has been mutterings at the state level regarding sweeping county tech budgets, so "use or possibly lose it" was also a factor.
However, commissioner Cerri disagreed with the expenditure, noting, “just because we have the money doesn’t mean we should spend it.”
• The Board approved multiple requests by the Humboldt County Public Works Department to award a bid to Hunewill Construction for rock crushing and a bid to Dustbusters to apply magnesium chloride to certain roads in Humboldt County.
• A request by the Humboldt County Library to accept a grant in the amount of $10,000 from All Together Now - Community Programming to fund adult programs at the library was approved.
• The Board approved a request by the Technology Services Department to purchase 38 security cameras and cloud storage to be installed on County property. The cost of the cameras will not exceed $73,871.26.
• An amending agreement to the 2022-2024 Agreement between the County of Humboldt and Humboldt County Law Enforcement Association Collective Bargaining Agreement was approved.
• The Board heard an update regarding outstanding restitution funds, dating all the way back to 2005, from the District Attorney’s Office. According to Deputy District Attorney Mike MacDonald, the outstanding funds should be dispersed by June 16, and all current restitution funds are up-to-date.
“We want to have this cleared up before the end of this fiscal year,” said MacDonald.