Orange County NC Website
4 <br />promote the use of current technologies (including broadband) to support public safety, <br />information transfer, public communication, and economic development. <br />Staff representatives from the Park and Recreation, Environmental Resource Conservation, <br />Planning, Economic Development, Purchasing, and Information Technology Departments and <br />the Manager's Office met to assess the list of candidate sites and as a group request that the <br />BOCC consider enrolling the properties listed on Attachment 2. <br />It should be noted that there are no specific tower applications at this time. This is a proactive <br />plan to allow the County to expeditiously prepare grants by delineating sites consistent with <br />program guidelines. <br />CONSISTENCY WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The adopted Orange County 2030 <br />Comprehensive Plan contains four objectives that provide support to an expanded wireless <br />telecommunications network within Orange County. They include: <br />1. Establish adequate information networks throughout the towns and County. <br />2. Develop a mechanism for cooperation with telecommunication facilities stakeholders <br />regarding the siting and design of towers. <br />3. Mange the number of future wireless telecommunication facilities by identifying preferred <br />locations capable of accommodating service County-wide <br />4. Encourage the expansion of affordable, high-speed Internet access, fiber-optic lines, and <br />other high-speed communication networks to rural and underserved areas. <br />The infrastructure associated with wireless telecommunication facilities is inherently essential to <br />the efficient operation of a number of County departments. Emergency Management Services <br />needs to maintain quality wireless service throughout the County. The Sheriff's and private, <br />volunteer fire departments have similar needs. Information Systems also desires to provide <br />quality communication-based technology services, a goal shared by other public agencies in <br />and around Orange County. Planning and Inspections must also, have better communications <br />from the field. The MTP will provide valuable information concerning the existing capacity and <br />future needs of emergency management, other county communication needs, economic <br />development opportunities, and communications networks of public concern. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with the selection of <br />certain publicly owned properties as possibly tower sites. Should the County apply for either <br />grant or loan funds through the ARRA program guidelines, and should the County be awarded <br />some or all or those grant or loan funds, there may be financial obligations that would have to <br />be negotiated with the County's broadband consultant. <br />If future tower site are developed, then a management contract between the County, the tower <br />provider, and all collocators, should be established which will: <br />^ Detail the design of each tower and supporting facilities, <br />^ Tower installation specifications, <br />^ Tower maintenance responsibilities, <br />^ Tower marketing responsibilities, <br />^ Contract management for each collocator, <br />^ Tower bonding and insurance responsibilities, <br />^ Financial considerations for the County and the management company, and <br />