IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION authorizing the Jackson County Executive to execute a Professional Services Agreement with KC Digital Drive of Kansas City, MO, for Jackson County Broadband and Digital Equity Plan Phase 1 services, at a cost to the County not to exceed $100,000.00.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22248, April 20, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Jackson County has an opportunity to develop a coordinated strategy for expanding broadband access and strengthening digital opportunity across the County; and,
WHEREAS, a countywide Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan will help assist with the following: assess broadband infrastructure availability and performance across Jackson County; identify service gaps and barriers to adoption and participation; engage municipalities, ISPs, community organizations, anchor institutions, and residents; identify potential projects and funding pathways to expand access and strengthen digital inclusion; and provide a practical five-year roadmap for implementation; and,
WHEREAS, KC Digital Drive proposes completing the work in two phases. Phase 1 - Analysis, Engagement, and Investment Strategy, with an estimated timeline of approximately five (5) months, to include project management and stakeholder engagement, broadband infrastructure mapping and technical assessment, digital equity and community needs analysis, market analysis and ISP engagement, funding strategy and financial modeling; and,
WHEREAS, additional Phase 1 deliverables include a preliminary broadband and digital equity investment pipeline identifying potential infrastructure and program initiatives, preliminary cost ranges, and potential funding/partnership opportunities; and,
WHEREAS, Phase 2 - Action Plan Development and Policy Recommendations would build on Phase 1 findings to develop policy and governance recommendations; create a comprehensive five-year Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan, final deliverables, an executive summary; and a presentation to the County Legislature or other designated audiences; and,
WHEREAS, KC Digital Drive indicates that the Phase 2 scope, schedule, and budget would be finalized following completion of Phase 1 and considered through a future Jackson County fiscal year budget process; and,
WHEREAS, the total cost of Phase 1 is an estimated amount not to exceed $100,000.00; and,
WHEREAS, Phase 2 should remain contingent upon County review and acceptance of Phase 1 deliverables and future funding authorization; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Jackson County Executive be and hereby is authorized to execute a Professional Services Agreement with KC Digital Drive of Kansas City, MO, for the development of a Broadband and Digital Equity Plan at a cost to the County not to exceed $100,000.00; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Interim Director of the Department of Finance and Purchasing be and hereby is authorized to make all payments, including final payment on the Agreement, to the extent that sufficient appropriations are contained in the then current County budget.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 22248 of April 20, 2026, was duly passed on ______________________________, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________________ Nays _____________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
__________________________ ______________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature
Fiscal Note
There is a balance otherwise unencumbered to the credit of the appropriation to which the expenditure is chargeable and there is a cash balance otherwise unencumbered in the treasury to the credit of the fund from which payment is to be made each sufficient to provide for the obligation herein authorized.
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 031 5032 56070
ACCOUNT TITLE: E-911 System Fund
911 Initiatives
Intergovernmental Agreements
NOT TO EXCEED: $100,000.00
______________________ ______________________________
Date Phil LeVota, County Executive