Title
Receive a progress report and the proposed Salinas Valley Five Cities Joint Powers Authority (JPA) agreement from the Information Technology Department, in response to Board Referral #2022.09, to explore the potential of creating a Salinas Valley Five Cities JPA to develop the broadband services by all the communities and areas represented by the JPA, and to provide further directions including authorizing the proposed JPA agreement, providing initial funding and closing the referral.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive the Information Technology Department report outlined below in response to Board Referral #2022.09;
b. Authorize the proposed JPA agreement and provide initial funding of $25,000 per year for three years;
c. Close the Board Referral #2022.09;
d. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
On February 8, 2022, the Information Technology Department (ITD) was assigned Board Referral #2022.09 for the purpose of exploring the potential of creating a Salinas Valley Five Cities JPA. On February 10, 2022, ITD was provided a proposed draft of a JPA agreement, created by City of Gonzales. On March 22, 2022, ITD presented to the Board its suggested changes to the proposed agreement draft. Board directed ITD to provide suggested modifications to the agreement. Subsequently, ITD and County Counsel provided suggested changes that were approved by all parties.
ITD supports the broadband JPA initiative which enables cities and the County to work together with a collective vision and cost sharing. ITD believes that the open-access network approach that leverages federal and state funds could lower subscriber cost and contribute to the County's already-existing broadband program.
An initial County contribution of $25,000 is required per year for three years, which includes fiscal years 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The County contribution in...
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