CASE STUDY · MUNICIPAL TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
How the Town of Smoky Lake became an internet service provider
While serving as Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Smoky Lake (2016–2022), Adam Kozakiewicz helped move the municipality into direct delivery of fixed-wireless broadband services. The initiative responded to the connectivity needs of local residents and businesses and required a combination of Council authorization, technology partners, municipal infrastructure, service regulation and operational oversight.
From concept to an operational service
2019 — Council-approved broadband implementation
On September 17, 2019, Town Council passed Motion 639-19 authorizing Administration to proceed with Phase 1 of the Smoky Lake High Speed Broadband project, working with VM Systems of Vegreville. Council authorized up to $40,000 from reserves for the first phase and directed Administration to explore funding opportunities.
2020 — Municipal fixed-wireless service framework
On October 20, 2020, Council adopted Bylaw 021-2020, establishing the rules for a Town-owned fixed-wireless internet service, including service applications, customer billing and related operating terms. This was a municipal internet service, not simply an advocacy campaign for better private connectivity.
2024 — Service customers transitioned to a regional provider
After Adam had left the Town, MCSnet announced a partnership in January 2024 involving three municipal tower locations: the Town Office, Agriculture Complex and Public Works Shop/Firehall. The arrangement provided a transition path for existing Town internet customers to MCSnet service. The later partnership helps document that the Town’s internet operation had an established customer base.
Leadership lessons
- Municipal IT and service design require sound governance, transparent spending and dependable operational partners.
- Broadband infrastructure is part of economic readiness, access to services and quality of life.
- Technology projects should be evaluated for sustainability and evolving vendor/service options.
- A municipal project’s lifecycle can extend beyond one administrator’s tenure; subsequent upgrades and commercial partnerships should be attributed to the organizations responsible.
Related broadband development
In 2020, Adam also corresponded with Smoky Lake County about a proposed fibre-to-the-doorstep project associated with a CRTC Broadband Fund application. County support is documented, but the public materials reviewed do not establish completion of that separate fibre proposal.
Public records and third-party confirmation
Town Council minutes — September 17, 2019 ↗ (Motion 639-19)
Town of Smoky Lake — October 20, 2020 Council minutes, Bylaw 021-2020 adopted (Motions 746–749) ↗ (official minutes confirming all three readings; not the full bylaw text)
MCSnet — Municipal Partnership Brings High Speed Internet to Smoky Lake (January 2024) ↗
Attribution: Adam served as Town CAO through 2022. MCSnet’s customer transition and further broadband upgrades were announced after his tenure.