Agenda - Item 8-s - Computer Surplus Declaration and Donation to Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

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Property to be donated It should be noted that providing the County’s surplus computers to local non-profit organizations has also been previously discussed and pursued. However, agencies have declined interest due to the age of the computers as well as the cost to purchase operating systems since the County must remove all software and information for security and licensing purposes prior to any disposal action. The possibility of making surplus computers available to County employees has also been discussed. The interest among County employees is uncertain, and it has been noted that conveying/selling the computers to employees requires a prescribed process based on State law. Staff will evaluate both employees’ interest and the legal process in preparation for future surplus computer disposal consideration. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Donating these computers to CHCCS will have no financial impact on the County. As these computers have had 5-7 years of use and have been deemed unsuitable for repair or further use for their intended purpose, any money recovered by selling these computers as-is would be offset by the Staff time involved in managing the sale. The computers hold considerably more value as teaching tools for Orange County students. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following two Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this agenda item: • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. The donation of a portion of the County’s surplus computers to CHCCS will help support a new computer reuse and training program aimed at providing valuable hands-on technical training for Orange County students. This training program will continue to divert the County’s e-waste from the landfill, while helping to prepare these students for jobs in the traditionally higher-paid computer field, thereby increasing their economic security. These results translate to positive outcomes related to the above Social Justice Goals. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a resolution upon County Attorney review declaring items listed above as surplus and authorizing the donation of those items to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) Board of Education. Computer Type Qty Average Age of Equipment Hard drives erased/wiped Laptops 216 5 years National Institute of Standards and Technology 800-88 Guidelines 7 pass erasing technology Desktops 168 6 years National Institute of Standards and Technology 800-88 Guidelines 7 pass erasing technology Total 384 2