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3 <br /> Chair McKee asked the Legislative Delegation on behalf of the Board to talk to other legislators about <br /> this going forward but as mentioned before, he thinks there will be push back. <br /> Representative Meyer asked Chair McKee to get them information on context and statutory <br /> information for them to circulate to their peers. <br /> John Roberts said he would do this. <br /> Broadband - Item #22 <br /> • Support legislation, funding, and other efforts to expand broadband capability to the un-served <br /> and under-served areas of the State to enhance quality of life as well as expand opportunities <br /> for jobs creation, small business development, and growth in farm enterprises. Orange County <br /> opposes legislation limiting local governments' efforts to provide broadband and supports <br /> legislation and regulations that would preserve local option and authority where needed to <br /> deploy community broadband systems and ensure community access to critical broadband <br /> services and to establish a minimum level of service. <br /> Chair McKee asked Representative Meyer to speak to this item since he had been involved in <br /> meetings with County staff and residents. <br /> Representative Meyer said the credit belongs to Jim Northup and County staff because of the efforts <br /> they had brought forth and he said the providers in the area say no one in the state is trying to learn <br /> how to expand the use of Broadband except here in Orange County. He said the most hope is in the <br /> Centurylink areas of service, where it would be to enhance the quality of service where there is <br /> already existing Centurylink lines and service. <br /> Representative Meyer said it would be more cost effective to do broadband through wireless instead <br /> of hard wires. He said the County has also talked with Piedmont Electric about collaborating with <br /> them. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she is on the NACo technology committee and there is a nationwide push to <br /> make broadband a utility. <br /> Representative lnsko said this is so unconstitutional as related to education and students and this <br /> does come up in education discussion in the General Assembly. <br /> Representative lnsko said is there any collaboration with the schools. <br /> Commissioner Price said this is one of the top goals of the NCACC. <br /> Representative lnsko said what about the local and State Boards of Education (BOE). <br /> Commissioner Price said they are trying to push this through as a basic utility. <br /> Senator Foushee said it would be helpful if the State BOE and NCACC would collaborate on this <br /> issue. <br /> Representative Meyer said a nice budget appropriation from the state would put in a lot of rural <br /> broadband. <br />