AGENDA DATE: 8/3/2016
TITLE: Broadband Work Session
Title
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Update Board on Broadband
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Letteri, Kamptner, Culp
PRESENTER (S): Mike Culp
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: Staff, as a result of Board direction and priorities, continues to evaluate strategies to expand access to high speed internet service (Broadband) in Albemarle County. A Broadband Task Force, which includes staff and two Board members, continues to meet regularly to guide the day to day efforts of this important initiative while maintaining regular communications with the full Board. More recent efforts have been focused on the development of a telecommunications plan designed to evaluate existing conditions and infrastructure and provide a series of options for how broadband might be expanded in our region. This particular effort was made possible through a grant from The Virginia Telecommunication Planning Initiative (VATPI) which awarded Albemarle County $75,000 for the purpose of creating a telecommunication plan (the Plan). A management team was formed and engaged a consulting firm, Design Nine, to create the Plan. A first draft of the Plan has been submitted and is under review by staff. The Plan report is scheduled to be final by September 15th and shared with the Board in October.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Goal 2 - Critical Infrastructure: Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
Goal 5 - Educational Opportunities: Provide lifelong learning opportunities for all our citizens.
Goal 7 - Operational Capacity: Ensure County government's ability to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: In advance of receiving and reacting to the recommendations of the Plan, members of the Task Force and the Management Team felt it ...
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