20201222_mh2.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1

DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL

FROM: MATT HUNTER
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: DECEMBER 18, 2020

SUBJECT: CONTRACT WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ITSAP PROGRAM

The current contract between the Commission and its Idaho Telecommunications
Service Assistance Program (ITSAP) Administrator, Alyson Anderson, expires on December 31,
2020.
BACKGROUND
Idaho Code § 56-901(1) establishes the ITSAP within the Department of Health and
Welfare, but Idaho Code § 56-904(2) authorizes the Commission to “contract with a neutral third
party to collect the surcharge, distribute assistance revenues, and perform other tasks.” The ITSAP
provides eligible recipients with a reduction in the cost of telecommunications services for the
purpose of promoting universal service within Idaho. See Idaho Code § 56-901(1).
The Commission has contracted with Ms. Anderson to administer the ITSAP for many
years. Ms. Anderson and Commission Staff mutually agreed earlier this year that Kathleen Toohill,
the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund (TRS) Administrator, would become the ITSAP
Administrator when Ms. Anderson’s contract expired. Staff is planning to offer Ms. Toohill a one-
year contract, subject to Commission approval.
THE PROPOSED CONTRACT
The contract is for one year, beginning January 1, 2021. The ITSAP Administrator is
compensated at a rate of $9,000 annually. Additionally, the contract allows the Administrator to
be compensated for reasonable administration expenses “incurred pursuant to a budget approved
in advanced by the Commission.”
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff believes Ms. Toohill is well qualified to administer the ITSAP and has performed
well as the TRS Administrator. Thus, Staff recommends that the Commission enter into the one-
year contract with Ms. Toohill.
Additionally, Staff believes that Ms. Anderson has admirably performed the duties as
the ITSAP Administrator. She has administered the program since it was established, and has
efficiently discharged her duties during her tenure.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to:
1. Contract with Ms. Toohill to administer the ITSAP; and
2. Authorize the Commission President to sign the contract on the Commission’s
behalf?

Matt Hunter
Deputy Attorney General

I:\Legal\CONTRACTS\ITSAP_Toohill\memos\One-year contract for ITSAP_mh.docx