Title
a. Authorize the Chief Information Officer of the Information Technology Department or his designee to execute a non-Standard Agreement with the California Emerging Technology Fund to accept grant funds in the amount of $19,500 through June 30, 2025 for each Get Connected! event coordinated by the County of Monterey, Information Technology Department, for the provision of outreach and enrollment of reduced broadband services for households in the Affordable Connectivity Program;
b. Authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee to execute documents as necessary with the California Emerging Technology Fund;
c. Accept non-standard contract provisions as recommended by the Chief Information Officer; and
d. Authorize the Chief Information Officer the option to execute up to two (2) future amendments to this Agreement, each extending the term by one year, and to accept additional grant funds if they become available.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Chief Information Officer of the Information Technology Department or his designee to execute a non-Standard Agreement with the California Emerging Technology Fund to accept grant funds in the amount of $19,500 through June 30, 2025 for each Get Connected! event coordinated by the County of Monterey, Information Technology Department, for the provision of outreach and enrollment of reduced broadband services for households in the Affordable Connectivity Program;
b. Authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee to execute documents as necessary with the California Emerging Technology Fund;
c. Accept non-standard contract provisions as recommended by the Chief Information Officer; and
d. Authorize the Chief Information Officer the option to execute up to two (2) future amendments to this Agreement, each extending the term by one year, and to accept additional grant funds if they become available.
SUMMARY:
On January 6, 2023, the Information Technology Department (ITD) of the County of Monterey entered into a participation agreement in partnership with the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) to organize Get Connected! events aimed at facilitating the promotion and enrollment of residents in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Following this, CETF pursued funding through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) ACP Outreach Grant, which was successfully awarded, and the County of Monterey is now a participating entity. The approval of this agreement will establish the formal collaboration between the County of Monterey and CETF for the promotion of ACP.
DISCUSSION:
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband needed for work, school, healthcare, and more. The benefit provides a discount for internet service for eligible households. In the County of Monterey, there are approximately 61,142 eligible households for the ACP program. The promotion of the ACP program and the Get Connected! events held; the county has witnessed an increase in enrollment from 12,149 (20%) in October 2022 to 17,498 (29%) by August 2023. This increase in enrollment underscores the importance of promoting this program.
The CETF successfully secured the ACP Outreach Grant from the FCC, totaling $490,000, which will be distributed among eleven participating community-based organizations and local government agencies. As part of the grant terms, CETF is obligated to work in conjunction with local government agencies and community partners that will organize Get Connected! events aimed at promoting and increasing ACP adoption in each county.
The Information Technology Department (ITD) is allocated a maximum of $6,500 per event under this agreement and is responsible for coordinating up to three (3) Get Connected! events. In addition, ITD will receive fifteen (15) Chromebooks to be raffled to eligible households that attend in-person the Affordable Connectivity Program events.
Therefore, the Chief Information Officer recommends approving this proposed action which signifies the County of Monterey's commitment to partnering with CETF to further promote ACP and secure the allocated reimbursement for these events. ITD will continue to harness partnerships with educational institutions, community-based organizations, and other county departments, all of which have played a pivotal role in the success of this initiative.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the non-Standard Agreement with the California Emerging Technology Fund.
FINANCING:
Grant funds received will be included in the Recommended Budget for the Information Technology Department, ITD 1930, Appropriations Unit INF002.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The Board’s approval of the recommended agreement will assist in providing eligible low-income households connect to high-speed internet services.
X Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Sandra Shaffer, Management Analyst III, 759-6957
Approved by:
____________________________ Date: ________________
Eric A. Chatham, Chief Information Officer, 759-6920
Attachments:
CETF Non-Standard Agreement
CETF Agreement to Collaborate