Spokane Municipal Code

Title 13 Public Utilities and Services

Chapter 13.15 Broadband Infrastructure

Section 13.15.020 Broadband Policy Standards

1. PUBLIC BENEFIT

1. Broadband infrastructure expansion shall be pursued with a foundational intent of maximizing public benefit to the citizen taxpayers of City of Spokane. This shall include, but is not limited to the following:

1. 1. Ensuring new infrastructure expansion is developed with an overarching purpose of benefitting residents and expanding their ability to connect to broadband networks of the highest speed and quality available.

1. 2. Ensuring critical public facilities are located in areas of new infrastructure expansion are connected at no cost in perpetuity to broadband networks of the highest speed and quality available for the purposes of taxpayer savings, operational efficiency, and public safety.

1. 3. Development of programs to promote resident technical expertise in use of the internet and fully leverage broadband investment.

2. OPEN AND EQUAL NETWORK ACCESS

1. Broadband infrastructure expansion is to be operated in an economically non-discriminatory manner, shall comply with all state and federal procurement requirements, and remain available for all qualified internet service providers to provide consumers with a competitive broadband marketplace. Internet service providers shall have the opportunity to win and retain business on price and service offerings compliant with external funding award requirements and public bidding requirements, as applicable.

3. MAXIMIZE EXISTING NETWORKS

1. The City shall maximize existing networks and prioritize existing network assets and capabilities to promote digital equity and highspeed internet for lower income populations.

2. Broadband network expansion projects are to be developed to connect as many premises as possible by leveraging existing assets, and by reducing duplicative network construction (overbuild) to only that which is necessary for underserved populations as a lifeline type service.

4. PARTNERSHIPS AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

1. The City shall encourage regional partnership and stakeholder engagement that is responsive to input and feedback.

2. The City, through making available its significant broadband assets, shall actively seek partnerships to address infrastructure gaps, provide specialized services, and co-investment in digital infrastructure that helps multiple organizations needs at a shared cost.

5. MAXIMIZE PUBLIC INVESTMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

1. Investment in broadband infrastructure is for current and future community and economic development benefit that generates sustainable revenue streams and a real return on investment in 10 years or less. Broadband infrastructure must be weighed as an investment and not a cost.

2. New broadband network expansion shall be considered and executed based on minimization of risk to the existing operating funds and revenue sources of the City of Spokane. This shall include minimization of potential liability and unanticipated costs in the development of project scope, construction of the physical network up to and including final premise connection, and ongoing maintenance of the entire network to industry standards and best practices.

3. New revenue from network use by organizations or internet service providers would be a dedicated revenue stream to minimize additional cost to existing operational or capital budgets.

Date Passed: Monday, July 10, 2023

Effective Date: Friday, August 18, 2023

ORD C36404 Section 1