Memorandum
Date: June 22, 2021
To: The Honorable Bruno Sabatier, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Carol J. Huchingson, County Administrative Officer
Subject: Approve Memorandum of Understanding Between the Golden State Finance Authority and the County of Lake Regarding the Development/Update of a Broadband Strategic Plan and Authorize Chair to Sign.
Executive Summary: (include fiscal and staffing impact narrative):
On May 25, 2021, your Board approved a letter of support to opt-in and support the Golden State Financing Authority’s submittal of an application on behalf of Rural County Representatives of California.
This opportunity has presented itself as a result of additional funding allocated to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to create or update existing Broadband Strategic Plans.
Golden State Financing Authority (GSFA) plans to submit a single grant application on behalf of Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) member counties for the purpose of developing and updating their broadband strategic plans for each county (and cities/towns therein). EDA would provide funding for 80% of the cost of each countywide broadband plan, with member counties committing the remaining 20%. For budget purposes, it is estimated that each county plan would cost approximately $120,000. Therefore, each county that participates in the grant would be required to commit approximately $25,000.
In addition to the letter of support and grant match, this grant application also requires a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Golden State Finance Authority and the County that outlines and confirms the responsibilities of both the County and the RCRC affiliate GSFA relating to the execution of a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA).
County responsibilities include identifying and coordinating a local broadband task force that will cooperate with GSFA’s consultant to update Lake County’s Broadband Plan and provide the 20% match estimated at $25,000.
GSFA’s responsibilities include providing grant administration and project management. These responsibilities include engaging a qualified consultant to prepare a draft update which will include at a minimum, information on all existing networks, internet service providers (ISPS), and service/speed provided; description of unmet needs of existing businesses; conceptual designs for network that incorporates information from relevant regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or equivalent connectivity plans; funding information for broadband infrastructure deployment and recommendation of key project opportunities.
Staff supports this next step in developing an updated comprehensive Broadband Strategic Plan.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☒ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
☒ Economic Development ☐ Disaster Recovery ☐ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☐ Cost Savings
If request for exemption from competitive bid in accordance with County Code Chapter 2 Sec. 2-38, fill in blanks below:
Which exemption is being requested?
How long has Agreement been in place?
When was purchase last rebid?
Reason for request to waive bid?
Recommended Action: Approve Memorandum of Understanding between the Golden State Finance Authority and the County regarding the development/update of a Broadband
Strategic Plan and authorize Chair to sign.