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ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: June 28, 2021 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 1 <br /> SUBJECT: Orange County Broadband Task Force Update <br /> DEPARTMENT: Information Technologies, <br /> County Attorney <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): None INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Jim Northrup, Chief Information Officer, <br /> 919-245-2276 <br /> John Roberts, County Attorney, 919- <br /> 245-2318 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive an update regarding the status of the Orange County Broadband Task <br /> Force. This update will explain the process of Task Force meetings and where the Task Force is <br /> to date in relation to having meetings with potential vendors and to discuss the goal of issuing a <br /> request for proposals (RFP) to find a partner willing to implement the "future proof" fiber network <br /> that meets the requirements for the $5,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds that were <br /> allocated in the FY21-22 Budget. <br /> BACKGROUND: On March 3, 2021 the first Task Force meeting was held. There have been <br /> nine meetings to date occurring every other Wednesday at 5:30 PM These virtual meetings are <br /> publicly advertised and the some members of the public beyond the committee members have <br /> been present at all meetings. Approved minutes from each of the meetings and recordings can <br /> be found on the County website. http://orangecountync.gov/broadband. <br /> At the September 1, 2020 Board of Orange County Commissioners Business meeting, a petition <br /> was submitted by Commissioner Earl McKee to create an Orange County Broadband Task Force. <br /> The Board subsequently discussed the proposal further at its November 17, 2020 Business <br /> meeting, including the composition of the Task Force and following charge: <br /> The Task Force charge will include but not necessarily be limited to: <br /> 1 . Discuss broadband solutions that will improve the quality of high speed internet <br /> services to Orange County residents; <br /> 2. Recommend a plan to the Board of Orange County Commissioners that will expand <br /> reliable high-speed internet services to all county residents and businesses. <br />