Primary Department: Universal Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Sindhu Menon, Executive Director and CIO
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for discussion and possible action regarding an update to Harris County Broadband Roadmap.
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Background and Discussion:
Approximately 9% of Harris County households, over 155,000, lack Broadband subscriptions. With the expiry of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) funding in June 2024, Harris County Commissioners Court approved on December 10, 2024, the engagement with US Ignite to revisit and update Harris County Broadband Plan. In January 2025, County department leaders, Commissioners Court staff, and representatives from departments across the county were interviewed to identify needs, community challenges, and future opportunities for broadband access and digital services.
From these stakeholders, the Harris County Broadband Roadmap was developed as a three-year guide, based on identified needs and best practices, outlining recommendations and potential initiatives the county may consider.
The Broadband Roadmap is anchored by three core pillars: Infrastructure, Partnerships, and Digital Opportunity. Recommendations include, but are not limited to:
• Infrastructure: Mapping all County-owned fiber, conduits, towers, and rights-of-way.
• Partnerships: Forming the Harris County Broadband Task Force to bring together Internet Service Providers, technology vendors, nonprofits, anchor institutions, and County departments to collaborate on designing broadband programs.
• Digital Opportunity: Strengthening community support by expanding the Digital Navigator workforce.
The roadmap outlines various funding strategies such as public-private partnerships, cross-departmental investments, philanthropic support, and sustainability planning. It is designed as a dynamic roadmap that can be updated with shifting priorities and emerging challenges.
Expected Impact:
The 2025 Broadband Roadmap is expected to give Harris County structure and flexibility to make progress on closing the digital divide by recommending actions to address broadband affordability, accessibility, and digital opportunity.
Alternative Options:
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County Strategic Plan Objective: H: Improve the condition and resilience of County transportation, flood control, and other infrastructure.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): H5: Improve broadband reliability and expand wireless access points.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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12/10/2024 |
381 |
Approved a request for approval of a personal services exemption from the competitive bid requirements and that the County Judge execute an agreement with US Ignite Inc. in the amount of $55,000 for broadband plan evaluation and development for Universal Services for the period of December 10, 2024 - December 9, 2025. |
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6/4/2024 |
2 |
Approved a resolution to designate all eligible Harris County facilities as Broadband Community Anchor institutions. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 6/26/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Sindhu Menon, Executive Director and CIO, Universal Services, Ryan Salmon, Broadband Planning Analyst, Universal Services
Attachments (if applicable): Harris County Broadband Roadmap (.pdf)