Bedford’s broadband authority to pick leadership

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors will meet for the first time tonight as a newly established broadband authority.

The board voted last month to form the authority, which serves as a legal entity that can contract directly with private providers to deliver broadband access to residents and businesses. The vote was close; four supervisors favored it while three did not.

The county received a $55,000 grant from the state tobacco commission to handle costs associated with the authority. The Bedford County Economic Development Authority committed a $5,000 local match.

The broadband authority, which consists of all seven supervisors, is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. to organize by electing a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary and treasurer. It is also set to review and adopt by-laws, schedule future meetings and authorize a proposed technical advisory group.

The board’s regular meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. and will include an annual report by Steve Stevick, chairman of the Bedford County Planning Commission.

Supervisors are also expected to consider a request by the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office for a grant authorized through federal stimulus funds.

The money, which totals roughly $44,000, would be used to cover purchases of a variety of equipment to enhance operations at the sheriff’s office from March 1, 2009, to Feb. 28, 2013, according to a resolution subject to review.

District 5 Supervisor Steve Arrington has stated publicly he would oppose any proposal that comes before the board involving stimulus funds because he is morally opposed to it. Arrington has voted against several grant requests in recent weeks involving the stimulus, all of which have passed.

The meeting takes place at 122 E. Main St. in downtown Bedford. To review the agenda and related documents, visit http://www.co.bedford.va.us and click on the Board of Supervisors.