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Water/Sewer or Broadband Infrastructure As specifically referenced in the bill text, improvements to water/sewer and broadband infrastructure are eligible expenses under the ARP. The City of Fellsmere has completed a broadband study and is working to issue a solicitation to address the deficiencies noted in the study before the end of calendar year 2023. Broadband is crucial in the City of Fellsmere and many other parts of the County to ensure teleworking and distance learning are able to take place. Staff has also completed a broadband study to evaluate needs throughout the unincorporated areas of the County to determine broadband needs and identify potential solutions. The results of that study indicate that Fellsmere is by far the most underserved area in Indian River County. Staff is proposing an allocation of $3,413,744 to support the Fellsmere broadband improvements project. This funding will support expanding the project to include broadband for the unincorporated areas surrounding the City of Fellsmere. Staff is also proposing to make the City of Fellsmere a sub -recipient of this funding in order to allow them to combine this funding with funding from other sources to maximize the scope of the broadband expansion project and the number of residents served. The South County Water Treatment Plant is currently undergoing significant renewal with upgrades of the filtration and finished water pumping systems. The project includes membrane skids replacement, replacement of high service pumps and additional new pumps, membrane pretreat improvements, and associated piping modifications; all designed to increase drinking water production efficiency (increase recovery). The project is in the advanced stage of construction, with the total estimated at $14,590,282. Staff is proposing to allocate funding no longer needed from the aforementioned projects in the amount of $975,257 to offset the significant cost of these enhancements. This additional funding brings the total allocation for the South County Water Treatment Plant Improvements to $6,975,257. Constitutional Officer Expenses The Clerk of Court has requested an additional $70,000 to fund various IT related upgrades. By utilizing ARP funding for these expenses, it ultimately lessens the burden on the County's General Fund millage. The Clerk's ARP allocation after this adjustment will be $1,070,000. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board consider the proposed spending plan (see attachment) as further detailed above totaling $31,063,168, consider any changes, and approve the attached plan with any amendments as needed. Staff further recommends that the Board authorize the Chair to execute the City of Fellsmere Broadband Agreement and any agreements with the funding partners that is consistent with our Federal requirements. ATTACHMENTS: ARP Proposed Spending Plan City of Fellsmere Broadband Agreement 204