Agenda 06-16-2026; 6-d - Amendment to the Network Development Agreement for Broadband Deployment with Lumos to Extend Broadband Service to Additional Unserved Households

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2 Based on this information, the Broadband Task Force recommended amending the Lumos contract to extend service to the remaining unserved areas, focusing on the most densely populated areas in order to maximize the investment of the remaining $800,000 in ARPA funding. Staff worked with Lumos to identify two (2) unserved areas or polygons that contain a total of 105 locations. Under the proposed contract amendment, Lumos will extend service into polygons 82 and 83 which are highlighted in orange on the map (Attachment A3 in the attached amendment). These extensions will serve an additional 105 locations, increasing the total number of locations funded under the Lumos contract from 5,859 to 5,964. The completion deadline to serve the additional passings will be November 1, 2026, as Federal regulations require all ARPA-funded work and expenditures to be completed by December 31, 2026. The proposed amendment would allocate the remaining $800,000 in ARPA funds in three (3) installments based on performance. Lumos will be paid $300,000 once conduit is installed in polygon 82, an additional $300,000 when conduit is installed in polygon 83, and the remaining $200,000 upon final completion when service is available in both polygons. These milestones will result in a total of 5,964 locations passed or approximately 93.63% of the 6,370 locations in the original contract. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The contract amendment will utilize the remaining $800,000 in available ARPA funding to expand broadband infrastructure to an additional 105 locations. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 5: PUBLIC EDUCATION/LEARNING COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 2. Improve school readiness and educational outcomes by providing access, training, tools, technology, and other resources needed to thrive. OBJECTIVE 3. Provide support for workforce development through training, tools, technology, and other resources. • GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY OBJECTIVE 5. Increase access to and awareness of resources and assistance available to residents and businesses. OBJECTIVE 6. Provide workforce and business development resources to enhance the skills of residents of the County. • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.). RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the amendment to the County's 2022 contract with Lumos to extend broadband service to an additional 105 households with adjustments to the project scope, timeline, and payment schedule and authorize the Manager to execute the amendment and any other related documents.