Broadband concept advancing quickly in county

By Steve Sharp

steves@wdtimes.com

JEFFERSON — The crew entrusted with making sure Jefferson County’s rural residents have access to broadband internet is not fooling around.

Formed in recent weeks, the county’s Broadband Working Group on Tuesday collaborated with the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors to establish a partnership with Netwurx Internet, LLC to provide Phase I Broadband infrastructure and services to under-served areas of Jefferson County.

According to the county, broadband is often cited as “the infrastructure of the future.” Attracting new businesses, education access, residential appeal and quality of life will be impacted by the availability of a community’s broadband service, county officials say.

“Jefferson County has parts of the county that are under-served in broadband capabilities. This has been identified as a priority in numerous ways, but most recently through the county’s strategic plan,” the executive summary to Tuesday’s board resolution that puts the broadband wheels in motion stated.

Jefferson County has been designated as a Broadband Forward Community by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and as a result, created its new Broadband Working Group.

“Further, the county has set aside funds in the 2019 budget to provide matching dollars toward the development of broadband infrastructure, including technical assistance,” the county stated.

Netwurx Internet, LLC has expressed an interest in continuing to develop broadband infrastructure in Jefferson County and has requested it be permitted to partner with the county to assist with broadband infrastructure development.

Netwurx Internet currently has a presence in Jefferson County, to include sponsorship of the fair park, as well as assisting the town of Watertown in its grant process with the Public Service Commission.

“In coordination with the Broadband Working Group, Netwurx Internet has developed a plan for Phase 1 of its project, which will provide broadband service to residential, agri-business and other businesses in Jefferson County this year.

“This resolution authorizes Netwurx Internet to start Phase 1 of this project, which will be a test project  with the goal of providing broadband service to approximately 257 residential properties, 13 agri-business, 68 other businesses, two multi-dwelling units and two county facilities,” the resolution stated. “The county’s portion of the project is anticipated to be $45,610, with Netwurx Internet contributing $30,408. The Broadband Working Group considered this resolution at its meeting April 11 and recommended forwarding it to the county board for approval.”

The Broadband Working Group will continue to develop a phased plan to provide additional coverage across the county, specifically geared toward a 2019 summer grant cycle. These efforts will include working to develop additional partnerships to include working with Dodge County and UW-Whitewater.

Supervisors approved the resolution unanimously, with five absent. Those missing were Jeff Johns, Peter Hartz, Conor Nelan, Mike Kelly and Greg David.

Amy Rinard of the Broadband Working Group said there has been much quality collaboration and communication so far in the quest to expand broadband into the county’s more remote areas.

County board Chairman, Jim Schroeder, called this stage of the initiative, “ ... the ‘first stop’ for all under-served areas to be served by broadband internet over time.”

Also Tuesday, the board approved the parks department seeking funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Stewardship Program, the Federal Recreational Trail Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grant money being sought would be put toward funding of the Watertown to Oconomowoc multi-use recreational trail’s second segment. The total cost of this segment is estimated to be $1.74 million.

The board heard encouraging annual reports from Clerk of Courts Cindy Hamre Incha, Corporation Counsel Blair Ward and District Attorney Susan Happ.

A representative of Elert & Associates presented the results of a communication study report on emergency communications in the county and pointed out future needs and options.

“This will not be a Band-Aid approach,” Jefferson County Administrator Ben Wehmeier said. “This will be major surgery on our emergency communications system to get us where we need to be.

Wehmeier said the more than $1 million potential project will soon be in the works.

Several retirements, including those of Clerk of Courts Carla Robinson and sheriff’s department mechanic Randy Frohmader, were recognized, with both of those former county employees present for their honors. Others recognized for their years of service to the county included Holly Dieckman-Radloff of the parks department, Connie Freeberg of the corporation counsel’s office, Diane Lenz from the health department, Mark Watkins of land and water conservation and Greg Winter of the highway department.

All other resolutions on the agenda were approved, with several supervisors excusing themselves from the final minutes of the session to attend meetings of the municipalities they serve in other governmental capacities. The session ended with approximately 22 supervisors present.