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39 <br /> 1 The Task Force's charge was to discuss broadband solutions that will improve the quality of high- <br /> 2 speed internet services to Orange County residents and to recommend a plan to the Board of <br /> 3 Orange County Commissioners to expand reliable high-speed internet services to all County <br /> 4 residents and businesses. The work of the Task Force culminated in an incentive-based contract <br /> 5 with North State Communications Advanced Services, LLC (now Lumos) to deploy broadband <br /> 6 technology in rural Orange County. <br /> 7 <br /> 8 During spring 2024, Lumos began experiencing delays due to construction and budget issues, <br /> 9 and much of the construction activity on the project slowed considerably. Lumos reported that <br /> 10 those issues had an impact on the overall project schedule and drove the project well over budget. <br /> 11 Lumos subsequently proposed to lower the number of addresses served from 6,370 to 5,852, <br /> 12 completing 92% of the passings in the original contract. Consistent with reducing the number of <br /> 13 passings, the amendment also lowered the total payment to Lumos from $10 million to $9.2 <br /> 14 million. In response to the amendment, Commissioner Jean Hamilton petitioned that the Board <br /> 15 reestablish the Broadband Task Force. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 Proposed Composition <br /> 18 Later discussion on the amendment suggested that the same members of the Task Force be <br /> 19 asked if they were willing to serve on a reconvened group. Resident appointees Patricia Hull and <br /> 20 Terri Buckner expressed interest in serving on the reconvened Task Force. Other resident <br /> 21 members have moved or did not respond, leaving three (3) Orange County Resident—At Large <br /> 22 seats vacant. The table below represents the proposed composition of the 2025 Task Force. <br /> 23 <br /> Representation 2021 Appointee 2025 Appointee <br /> County Manager (Designee) Travis Myren, Deputy County Travis Myren, County Manager <br /> Manager <br /> Orange County Chief Jim Northrup Robert Reynolds <br /> Information Officer <br /> Chapel Hill Carrboro City Doug Noell, Director of IT Doug Noell, Director of IT <br /> Schools Superintendent Operations Operations <br /> (Designee) <br /> Orange County Schools Dr. Monique Felder, <br /> Superintendent (Designee) Superintendent OCS Superintendent Designee <br /> Durham Technical Victoria P. Deaton, Compliance <br /> Community College Specialist Office of Institutional Awaiting response <br /> Representative Equity and Inclusion <br /> Board of Commissioners - 1 Sally Greene BOCC Appointment <br /> Board of Commissioners—2 Earl McKee BOCC Appointment <br />