To: Harris County Commissioners Court
Through: David Berry, County Administrator and Executive Director, Budget Management Department
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Prepared By: Leah Barton, Senior Director, Budget Management Department; Josh Stuckey, Chief of Operations, Universal Services
Subject: COVID-19 Broadband Access Program
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Project ID (If applicable]:
Purpose and Request:
title
Request by Budget Management for approval of allocation of $3.2 million in COVID relief funding for continuation of broadband access programs, including expansion of free public Wi-Fi at community centers, parks, and libraries, provision of mobile Wi-Fi via community buses, and continuation of support for student and family broadband access.
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Background and Discussion:
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was passed in 2020 to provide fast and direct economic aid to households negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. One critical need that emerged during the pandemic was expansion of broadband access, as students turned to virtual learning and adults were asked to work remotely. Harris County residents still experience a digital divide; 123,000 Harris County residents have no wired internet and only 53% have fiber optic availability. In some neighborhoods, over 25% of young people still lack access.
Using CARES funding, Harris County initiated establishment of free public Wi-Fi at community centers, parks, and libraries across the County and also began providing internet access to 20,000 households via 5G/LTE networks, hotspots, and the Comcast Internet Essentials program. This incremental funding will enable expansion of the public Wi-Fi offerings to 105 Wi-Fi mesh networks and 16 mobile buses, together with ongoing broadband support to an estimated 20,000 families through the 2021-2022 school year.
Fiscal Impact: Funding for this program will be fully provided by remaining CARES funding and Response and Recovery funds.
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Fiscal Summary |
|
Expenditures |
FY 20-21 |
FY 21-22 Projected |
Future Years Projected [3 additional years] |
|
Service Impacted: Emergency Rental Assistance Program |
|
|
|
|
Public Wi-Fi provision via mesh networks and buses |
|
$870,000 |
$330,000 |
|
Household Wi-Fi support (20,000 families) |
|
$1,430,000 |
$570,000 |
|
Total Expenditures |
|
$2,300,000 |
$900,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act |
|
$1,600,000 |
|
|
Response and Recovery Fund |
|
$700,000 |
$900,000 |
|
Total Sources |
|
$2,300,000 |
$900,000 |
Alternatives:
Cessation of activities is not recommended due to the impact on users at community centers and at home.
Alignment with Strategic Objective:
This activity is aligned with the strategic objective of securing and deploying emergency funding to support Harris County residents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attachments:
Contract to follow.