Lake County, IL
File #: 23-1789    Version: 1 Name: Joint resolution adopting the Lake County Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan and directing staff to proceed in implementation.
Type: resolution Status: Passed
File created: 11/28/2023 In control: Special Committee on Broadband
On agenda: Final action: 12/12/2023
Title: Joint resolution adopting the Lake County Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan and directing staff to proceed in implementation.
Attachments: 1. Dec 1 Special Committee Presentation_Final Action Plan_Updated, 2. Lake County Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan_Final, 3. Appendix A. Project Details, 4. Appendix B. Funding Catalogue Content, 5. Appendix B. Funding Catalogue, 6. Appendix C. Current State Assessment, 7. Appendix D. Stakeholder Engagement Report, 8. Appendix E. Potential Fiber Expansion Models

Title

Joint resolution adopting the Lake County Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan and directing staff to proceed in implementation.

 

Staff Summary

•                     The Lake County Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan provides strategies and initiatives to address gaps in the access, affordability, and adoption of broadband internet across Lake County.

•                     At the previous Special Committee meeting, the County’s broadband consultant presented the draft Lake County Broadband & Digital Equity Action Plan and requested feedback from the Committee members.

•                     The County’s consultant will review updates made to the Plan since that time, incorporating feedback from the Committee, and will provide cost estimates for implementation.

•                     This resolution adopts the Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan and directs the County Administrator to proceed with implementation.

 

Body

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, the Lake County Special Committee on Broadband was created on December 16, 2022, with the task of determining the current state of broadband in Lake County and coming up with recommendations for improvement; and

 

WHEREAS, The Lake County F&A Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery & Investment appropriated $11,945,303 for the planning and implementation of the Broadband plan; and

 

WHEREAS, Lake County hired Guidehouse Consulting in June 2023 to research and develop a County-wide plan as it relates to the affordability, adoption, and access of Broadband in Lake County; and

 

WHEREAS, Guidehouse held stakeholder and public engagement opportunities, interviewed numerous stakeholders, developed a current state assessment and strategic framework of solutions, and completed a draft Broadband & Digital Equity Action Plan; and

 

WHEREAS, the draft plan was presented to the Special Committee on Broadband on November 3, 2023 with discussion and feedback; and

 

WHEREAS, the final plan is attached to this resolution, with Committee feedback incorporated.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois that the Lake County Broadband & Digital Equity Action Plan is hereby adopted; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Lake County Board directs the County Administrator to begin the implementation of the strategies and initiatives using appropriated ARPA funding for Broadband; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Administrator shall proceed with hiring temporary support staff as outlined in the Plan; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that as plans are developed for the implementation of the strategies and initiatives, overviews should be presented to the Special Committee on Broadband.

 

DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on December 12, 2023.