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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0445.000 2022-2024 Mitchell D. Roth sMty os"" Deanna S. Sako c Director Mayor .. �,r"„', dd1 " _ Diane Nakagawa a Deputy Director County of Hawaii Finance Department 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2103 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 (808)961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8569 August 31, 2023 Heather Kimball, Council Chair and "77,�, ,7```, Members of the Hawai`i County Council "• µ+ Hawai`i County Council - ' o,t.:i4 ; 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 = , . Re: Operating Budget The County of Hawai`i has been awarded $100,000 in federally derived funds from the University of Hawai`i. The purpose of this grant is to provide the University of Hawai`i with input and data regarding the County of Hawai`i to assist in the development and implementation of a plan to achieve equitable interne access for all Hawai`i residents. Enclosed is a resolution to enter into an agreement to accept these funds. Also enclosed is a bill for an ordinance amending the Operating Budget by appropriating this $100,000. If there are any questions,please do not hesitate to call Riley Saito of the Department of Research and Development at 808-323-4704. 0A)(1412,0 Deanna S. Sako Director of Finance Enc. c: R&D <1 Rom.2S r 216;5-61 "2 Comm. No.' "1'1J :Ref.°To _, rc, _ Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provide Ref 'Date`. SEP : 6. ?fl23 Form#: B-52 7/18/91 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DEPARTMENT: Research and Development DATE: 7/24/2023 STAFF CONTACT: Riley Saito PHONE: 808-323-4704 A. REQUEST: Aprproval to enter into a intergovernment agenciy agreement. The Memorandum of Agreement would be between the State of Hawaii University of Hawaii and the County of Hawaii. The purpose of the agreement is to have the county perform certain activities in which the University of Hawaii will provide funds to cover the costs of the activity. The federal fund source, known as the BEAD Planning grant,($5M) is the National Telecommunications and Information Administration that is being administered by the University of Hawaii with the County as a subawardee. The estimated funding to the County is —$100k per year for four years. B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED): The University of Hawaii has been tasked with leading the State to build out a robust, reliable and affordable broadband infrastructure to every community and guarantee accessibility for every resident. Community outreach and engagement at the county level helps better identify and understand the community's technology priorities and needs, fosters support for ensuring every community can access high- speed internet. This includes diverse expertise and experiences from those most impacted by the digital divide. This should encourage transparency building trust, and establishes a open and active feedback mechanism to capture additional input necessary for subsequent detailed planning and implementation efforts. The BEAD Planning grant is dedicated to infrastructure elements. Digital equity programs to advances the necessary digital skills for residents, enhancement of our local workforce, and stimulation and diversification of our state's economy will be funded through a separate funding stream via the NTIA. It is of mutual interest and advantage to the University of Hawaii and the County of Hawaii to collect and analyze community input and data in order to develop and implement a successful plan to achieve equitable internet access for all of Hawaii's residents. SIGNED: l !►_ 1 ;ire DATE: 08/17/2023 Cra ment ead GRANT SUMMARY (Supplement to B-52,Request for Council Action) Type of Grant Appropriation being requested: (New or an additional appropriation) ❑ New(for this fiscal year period). OR ❑ Additional appropriation(to an existing grant); Is a draft agreement attached? Has the original grant notification been transmitted to ® Yes n No Council? ❑ Yes ❑No Name of Grant Program: Broadband Equity Acess and Deployment(BEAD) Initial Planning Funds Grantor: University of Hawaii County Grantee Department or Agency: Research and Development County Grantee Contact Person: Douglass Adams Phone Number: 808-961-8368 Amount of Grant: $100,000.00/year Grant Period (Commencement& Completion): August 2023 to July 2028 Purpose of Grant: It is of mutual interest and advantage to the University of Hawaii and the County of Hawaii to collect and analyze community input and data in order to develop and implement a successful plan to achieve equitable internet access for all of Hawaii's residents. Funding Source: ❑Federal NFederal,passed-through state nState *If Federal, passed-through state,provide Federal Agency: National Telecommunication and Information Administration County Match required?: ❑ Yes ® No If yes, Matching Amount? Budgeted in account# : In-kind?Explain: Explanation: County's personnel requirements: Amount of new position(s)? Qty: 0 Permanent: ❑ Temporary: n, Duration: Full-time: n Part-time: n, Time Element: Qty: 0 Contractual: n Explain: Explanation: B-52 Grant Summary Form Additional Comments about Grant: The intent of the grant cover cost incurred by the County while working with community anchored entities to gather information and data. The information and data will be utilized to inform decision making on the where when and how to spend the—$149 Million BEAD fund. This fund, focused on interne access infrastructure, is forecasted to be available in mid 2024 B-52 Grant Summary Form