MEETING DATE: 9/28/2021
DEPARTMENT: COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR: Ray Espinosa
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: Dulce Alonso
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER: 119
SUBJECT:
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - R. ESPINOSA
Adopt resolution approving the Chairperson to execute the Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), a JPA of which San Benito County is a member, to execute the Golden State connect authority joint exercise of powers agreement for the purpose of expanding broadband access and quality in rural counties.
FILE NUMBER: 119
RESOLUTION NO: 2021-120
AGENDA SECTION:
CONSENT AGENDA
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Adopt Resolution approving the Golden State Connect Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the purpose of expanding broadband access and quality in rural counties.
Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), develops and administers programs that provide a source of financing for residential home purchases or refinances, commercial and residential energy efficiency improvement projects, multi-family housing construction and rehabilitation projects and city and/or county infrastructure improvements.
GSFA is a statewide joint exercise of powers authority established pursuant to Title 1, Division 7, Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6500) of the California Government Code (the “Act”) and the Joint Powers Authority Agreement entered into on July 1, 1993, as amended from time to time (the “JPA Agreement”).
On August 18, 2021, the Board of Directors of Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) voted unanimously to approve the formation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), Golden State Connect Authority, for the purpose of expanding broadband access and quality in rural counties. Following approval by the RCRC Board, the next step in establishment of this entity is to provide the Golden State Connect Authority JPA to each RCRC Member County for review and approval by the Member County Boards of Supervisors.
Activities within Golden State Connect Authority will focus exclusively on broadband. All RCRC member counties are welcome and encouraged to join. There is no financial impact associated with joining the JPA, and no obligation for individual member counties to provide funds to the Authority, absent a separate agreement to participate in one (or more) of the specific programs. As with RCRC, the proposed new entity will be governed by delegate Supervisors from each member county, and day-to-day operations will be administered by RCRC staff.
The primary goals for the project structure are:
· to ensure that elected County Supervisors retain control of the program, with day-to-day administration provided by RCRC staff,
· to allow for partnership agreements between like-governmental entities for the operation and advancement of the program of work, and,
· to attract public and private investment in the program, as necessary and appropriate.
Initial areas of focus for broadband work on behalf of Member Counties will include:
- Foundational Readiness: Ensure all member counties have broadband strategic plans
- Capacity Building: Equip rural counties with information and resources about innovative models and approaches to broadband deployment
- Demonstration Projects: Implement open-access municipal broadband projects
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to joining the GSCA JPA, and there is no obligation for an individual member county to provide funds to the Golden State Connect Authority, absent a separate future agreement to participate in one (or more) of GSCA's specific programs.
Attachments
- RCRC Rural Broadband Initiative
- Resolution approving the Golden State Connect Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement
- Proposed Golden State Connect Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement
RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE NEEDED FOR THIS ITEM:
Yes
CONTRACT NEEDED FOR THIS ITEM:
No
CONTRACT AND RFP HISTORY:
N/A
LAST CONTRACT AMOUNT OR N/A:
N/A
STATE IF THIS IS A NEW CONTRACT/ HOW MANY PAST AMENDED CONTRACTS/ OR N/A:
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
BUDGETED:
No
Budget Adjustment Needed: No
Unfunded Mandate (Is this a mandate not funded by the State): No