HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2022 (02) Resolution No. 2 (2022)
ST. RO UNTY RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING BROADBAND GRANT PROGRAMS
AND AMENDING 2022 BUDGET (1)
COVER MEMO
TO: County Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ken Witt, County Administrator
DATE: January 4, 2022
AGENDA ITEM: Resolution Establishing Broadband Grant Programs and Amending 2022
Budget (1)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
With the completion of the broadband study we are ready to implement the use of ARPA dollars
to promote broadband access in St. Croix County. While some of the projects, like a series of
towers or a dark fiber loop are recommended in the plan, they are not immediately feasible with
the resources we have available and have less immediate impact for the residents and
businesses in the County.
Recommended broadband initiatives are in three parts. One federal program and the
creation of two local grant programs. Details will be finalized by staff and implemented as
soon as practical.
I. Provider Matching Grants (1/4/22 - 3/17/22)
A. Notify providers of grant program partnership opportunity
B. Project requires delivery capability of 100mb service
C. County match limit 25% of project costs, Provider must provide at least 25%
of project costs
D. PSC broadband grant deadline March 17, 2022
E. Renewal of program contingent on funding and State/Federal programs
F. Reach out to Townships to join partnership on qualified projects
G. County Administrator to appoint 3 member review panel that will review grant
applications and further define eligibility criteria
II. Connectivity Assistance (1/4/22 - 6/30/22)
A. Advertise program availability to residents
B. Project requires delivery capability of 100MB service
C. Grant is awarded as a reimbursement to individual households that live in an
unserved or underserved area of St. Croix County with no fiber options
D. Grant reimburses household for up-front connection costs, up to $500, not
intended for fiber drops (road to house fiber fee)
E. Renewal of program contingent on funding
F. Example: Starlink delivers average of 114mb service and has an up-front
connection fee of $499
G. County Administrator will create application form that will determine eligibility,
grant awarded based on review of application by staff
III. Affordable Connectivity Program (FCC)
A. Federal FCC program with $14 billion dollars of funding
B. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program am (getemergencybroadband.org)
<https://www.getemergencybroadband.orcV>
The budget amendment portion of the resolution authorizes the distribution of ARPA funds
for these programs.
Resolution No. 2 (2022)
ST. RO LINTY RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING BROADBAND GRANT PROGRAMS
� AND AMENDING 2022 BUDGET (1)
1 WHEREAS, the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors are desirous about improving
2 broadband capabilities in St. Croix County; and
3
4 WHEREAS, St. Croix County Board directs staff to create two new grant programs to
5 promote broadband access; and
6
7 WHEREAS, one program will be geared toward ISP providers with matching grant
8 amounts to make them more competitive with PSC or other federal broadband grant
9 opportunities; and
10
11 WHEREAS, the other grant program will be directed toward households in unserved or
12 underserved parts of St. Croix County to provide immediate financial support to get households
13 connected to 100mb or faster broadband services; and
14
15 WHEREAS, St. Croix County Board of Supervisors reserved $1,503,648 of ARPA
16 dollars for broadband initiatives; and
17
18 WHEREAS, the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors adopted the 2022 County
19 Budget on November 2, 2021.
20
21 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the St. Croix County Board of
22 Supervisors does authorize the creation of two new broadband grant programs and amends the
23 2022 County Budget to the accounts below.
24 Account Level
25 Account Account 9 Original Budget Amended Change
26
27 Other Federal Grants 115-1010-700210-43310 $0 $3,003,648 3,003,648
28 Grants to Others 115-1010-700210-57210 $0 $3,003,648 3,003,648
Legal—Fiscal—Administrative Approvals:
Legal Note:
Fiscal Impact: The creation of grant program utilizes reserved ARPA funding.
cots .Cax,Corporation co&W 1 /16/2021
41 r �h�
L n an, Finance Dir car 2/17/2021
K4W , a y „ drain r r 12117/2021
12/21/21 Administration Committee RECOMMENDED
......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .........
RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Carah Koch, Supervisor
SECONDER: Bob Long, Chair
AYES: Bob Long, Carah Koch, Scottie Ard, David Peterson
EXCUSED: William Peavey
Vote Confirmation.
gob Lang AdministrgWn,Chair 12/28/20211
St. Croix County Board of Supervisors Action:
Roll Call -Vote Requirement—Two-thirds Majority of Entire Membership (13)
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Bob Long, Supervisor
SECONDER: Carah Koch, Supervisor
AYES: Schachtner, Anderson, Long, Leaf, Koch, Hall, Berning, Ottino, Feidler, Ostness,
Counter, Hansen, Ard, Tellijohn, Peterson, Anderson, Achterhof, Tomtschik
EXCUSED: William Peavey
This Resolution was Adopted as Amended by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors on January 4,2022
Cindy Campbell, County Clerk