To: Ellen Ellenburg, Public Works Committee Chairperson
From: Michael Dawisha, CIO
title
RE: Approval to utilize ARPA funds to conduct broadband study
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve a request to engage with Merrit Network to conduct a project to plan for, engage with community, contractors and anchor institutions to forward the goal of Genesee County's fiber taskforce of fiber for all.
BACKGROUND:
Broadband is increasingly becoming a necessity and not a luxury. The acronym FEW refers to Fiber, Electricity and Water. Those are essentials to modern life and should be treated as utilities. The task force is focused on three issues regarding broadband: Equity, Accessibility and Affordability. The goal is to create an infrastructure that allows for competition to service all of Genesee County.
DISCUSSION:
Broadband for all is a very large goal and beyond the FEW, a matter of competitive advantage for the county. A large project like this with many moving parts will take years to implement with still many unknowns to resolve in order to achieve its goals. Some unknows are who will be the private entities that will get involved and invest and what public funding will be available.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
none
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
No impact on General Fund, ARPA funds will be used for this project. Budget 1010-640.02-804.000 Consultants will be used, and budget amendment is attached in the amount of $ 162,625.00.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
none
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
none
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This conforms with the County's priority of Community Growth and building an Inclusive Collaborative Culture.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Chief Information Officer to enter into a professional services contract...
Click here for full text