HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-28-2021; 1 - Orange County Broadband Task Force Update ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 28, 2021
Action Agenda
Item No. 1
SUBJECT: Orange County Broadband Task Force Update
DEPARTMENT: Information Technologies,
County Attorney
ATTACHMENT(S): None INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Northrup, Chief Information Officer,
919-245-2276
John Roberts, County Attorney, 919-
245-2318
PURPOSE: To receive an update regarding the status of the Orange County Broadband Task
Force. This update will explain the process of Task Force meetings and where the Task Force is
to date in relation to having meetings with potential vendors and to discuss the goal of issuing a
request for proposals (RFP) to find a partner willing to implement the "future proof" fiber network
that meets the requirements for the $5,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds that were
allocated in the FY21-22 Budget.
BACKGROUND: On March 3, 2021 the first Task Force meeting was held. There have been
nine meetings to date occurring every other Wednesday at 5:30 PM These virtual meetings are
publicly advertised and the some members of the public beyond the committee members have
been present at all meetings. Approved minutes from each of the meetings and recordings can
be found on the County website. http://orangecountync.gov/broadband.
At the September 1, 2020 Board of Orange County Commissioners Business meeting, a petition
was submitted by Commissioner Earl McKee to create an Orange County Broadband Task Force.
The Board subsequently discussed the proposal further at its November 17, 2020 Business
meeting, including the composition of the Task Force and following charge:
The Task Force charge will include but not necessarily be limited to:
1 . Discuss broadband solutions that will improve the quality of high speed internet
services to Orange County residents;
2. Recommend a plan to the Board of Orange County Commissioners that will expand
reliable high-speed internet services to all county residents and businesses.
On February 2, 2021 the Board appointed residents to this Task Force and asked the State
Broadband Infrastructure Office, Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools and
Durham Technical Community College to send representatives to participate as well. The
Broadband Task Force members are as follows:
Special Representation Appointee
County Manager (Designee) Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Doug Noell, Chief IT Operations Officer,
Superintendent (Designee) Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Orange County Schools Dr. Monique Felder, Superintendent
Superintendent (Designee) Dr. Kathleen Dawson, Deputy Superintendent
NC Department of Information Jeff Sural, Director, NC Broadband
Technology (NCDIT) Representative Infrastructure Office (NC BIO)
Durham Technical Community College Victoria P. Deaton, Compliance Specialist,
Representative Office of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Board of Commissioners - 1 Commissioner Earl McKee
Board of Commissioners — 2 Commissioner Sally Greene
Orange County Resident—At Large Vasu Kilaru, Orange County Resident
Orange County Resident—At Large Paul Cardillo, Orange County Resident
Orange County Resident—At Large Todd Broucksou, Orange County Resident
Orange County Resident—At Large Patricia Hull, Orange County Resident
Orange County Resident—At Large Terri Buckner, Orange County Resident
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving the update.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive this update.