Memorandum
Date: September 26, 2023
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Benjamin Rickelman, Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of Presentation on Broadband Initiatives
Executive Summary:
There have been significant developments to several broadband programs since the last time the Board of Supervisors was briefed on broadband in April 2023. To mitigate the projected budget shortfall for the current State budget funding for some broadband last mile projects and the loan loss reserve has been delayed to future fiscal years. The delay of the loan loss reserve funding could have an impact on the Golden State Connect Authority's proposed open access network.
Round 1 of the Last Mile Federal Funding Account (FFA) project proposals are due to the State September 29, 2023. The County of Lake has $28.4 million allocated for FFA projects. The State strongly prefers wireline projects, and they must provide100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload service. It's anticipated projects will be awarded early 2024 and there may be another FFA application period. There have been three California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Infrastructure Account proposals submitted for Lake County, all are fixed wireless and would provide service to communities currently unserved or underserved.
The California middle-mile network was originally envisioned to be 10,081 miles. This summer the State reduced the funded portion of the middle-mile network due to rising costs. There is now a funded Phase 1 at approximately 8,300 miles and an unfunded Phase 2 at approximately 1,800 miles. The impact on Lake County is parts of the planned middle-mile route along 20, 29, 53, and 281 are now unfunded. The California Department of Technology has recently announced additional funding may become available to fully fund the 10,081 miles network.
CBG Communications has recently completed the updated Master Broadband Plan, which will guide County broadband pol...
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