Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign a letter in support of an $8 billion “Broadband For All Funding Plan” endorsed by the California State Association of Counties, Rural County Representatives of California and other statewide advocacy groups.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) requested that El Dorado County join a CSAC-led coalition calling for the state to make an $8 billion Broadband budget investment. The coalition also includes Rural County Representatives of California, California Forward Action Fund, California Hospital Association, California Association of School Business Officials, Urban Counties Caucus, California School Boards Association, and Small School Districts’ Association. The $8 billion request includes $6.8 billion for open-access middle-mile and 100 Mbps last-mile fiber to all homes and businesses currently without it. The infrastructure investment will be paired with $1.2 billion for programs to increase adoption.
The state’s progress to reaching the goal of closing the Digital Divide has been steady but slow, but the considerable resources now available to the state, including $26 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act and an approximately equivalent amount of one-time state general fund revenues, mean that the opportunity exists to jump-start these efforts.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board can choose not to authorize the letter of support.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Chief Administrative Office recommends the Board authorize the Chair to sign the letter of support.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chair's signature on the letter. Return to CAO for distribution to legislative leadership.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Aaron Magezi, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer