HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-077RESOLUTION NO. 2021- 077
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
SUPPORTING THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF
COUNTIES' ACCESS 67 INITIATIVE FOR AFFORDABLE
AND RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET THROUGHOUT
FLORIDA.
WHEREAS, affordable and reliable, high-speed internet access is essential for Floridians
to be prosperous, compete in a global economy, and achieve a high quality of life; and
WHEREAS, affordable and reliable, high-speed internet access is as fundamental as
acquiring electricity in the first half of the 20th century; and
WHEREAS, the lack of broadband internet access impacts small, medium, and large
counties, both rural and urban; and
WHEREAS, the absence of high-speed internet hinders:
• Equitable educational opportunities for school children and workforce
development;
Access to telemedicine to improve health outcomes without demanding
travel and transportation needs;
• Rapid communication between the public and law enforcement agencies;
• Economic competitiveness limiting business investment, job growth, and
career opportunities;
WHEREAS, high-speed Internet can be cost prohibitive for many Floridians further
accelerating the Digital Divide; and
WHEREAS, affordable internet access includes a digital equity component focused on
identifying groups disproportionately impacted by the Digital Divide that contribute to national and
local disparities; and
WHEREAS, identifying community needs, assets, and barriers is necessary to meet the
goal of universal access to high-speed Internet; and
WHEREAS, local governments, states, and the federal government must leverage
resources to deliver cost-effective broadband solutions which provide a return on investment
to both the public and private interest; and
WHEREAS, county officials play a crucial role as policymakers, funders, data
aggregators, conveners, and partners in pursuing sustainable solutions to broadband access,
affordability, and reliability; and,
WHEREAS, the Florida Association of Counties ACCESS 67 initiative seeks to implement
a comprehensive approach to empowering counties to develop solutions to address the impacts
of the lack of ACCESS to critical telecommunication and information technology resources in
Florida communities; and
RESOLUTION NO. 2021- 077
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 969 in 2020 creating an Office of
Broadband within the Department of Economic Opportunity requiring the creation of a strategic
plan that has goals and strategies for increasing the use of broadband Internet service in the
state; and
WHEREAS, it's critical the strategic plan be based on up-to-date and location -specific
mapping that identifies broadband internet speeds at a granular, census block level to accurately
assess internet access needs of the public and private sector; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1239 in 2021, the "Florida
Broadband Deployment Act of 2021", finding sustainable broadband Internet service is critical to
economic and business development, essential for all residents, and provided resources to
develop a state broadband internet service map to identify connectivity gaps to end users; and
WHEREAS, counties serve a vital role in coordinating Office of Broadband Local
Technology Planning Teams with their local counterparts, including: libraries; K-12 education;
colleges and universities; local health care providers; private businesses; community
organizations; economic development organizations; local governments; tourism; parks and
recreation; and agriculture; and
WHEREAS, state restrictions limit opportunities for counties to aggregate the user scale
necessary to overcome otherwise cost -prohibitive service opportunities, achievable
through public-private partnerships; and
WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties Broadband Task Force report identified
specific themes that serve as force multipliers in deploying better and more affordable services,
including:
• Defining a modern "minimum standard" of Broadband
• Implementing smart "Dig Once" policies and practices including "rights of
way" as public assets
• Testing and deploying fiber, cellular, satellite and other technologies
• Focusing on local community engagement and partnerships
• Tackling the "Homework Gap"
• Removing bans on municipal broadband
• Establishing a national grants/loans clearinghouse
• Regulating broadband as a utility
• Committing to world -leading broadband data and mapping analytics
WHEREAS, deployment of broadband internet technology solutions should be tailored
to meet the specific needs of the local community; and
WHEREAS, collaboration between Internet Service Providers and counties will ensure
community needs are addressed within acceptable timeframes to best serve their communities.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Indian
River County, Florida, as follows:
Section 1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated in this Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021- 077
Section 2. The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, supports the Florida
Association of Counties ACCESS 67 Initiative to implement a comprehensive approach to
empowering counties to develop solutions to address the impacts of the lack of ACCESS to critical
telecommunication and information technology resources in Florida communities.
Section 3. The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, further supports
the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Office of Broadband in its effort to achieve
access to reliable and affordable, high-speed internet access to every household and business
throughout the State of Florida.
Section 4. A copy of this resolution shall be sent to the Florida Association of Counties;
the Department of Economic Opportunity's Office of Broadband; the Governor of the State of
Florida; the President of the Florida Senate; the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
Section 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
The foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Adams ,
and seconded by Commissioner Flescher and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as
follows:
Chairman Joseph E. Flescher AYE
Vice -Chairman Peter D. O'Bryan AYE
Commissioner Susan Adams AYE
Commissioner Joseph H. Earman AYE
Commissioner Laura Moss AYE
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 9th day
of November, 2021.
cohry,•.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIO• • •., s°•.,
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIfi s'�.;:
ATTEST: Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk
of Court and Comptroller
J
/�► i__ _ i
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency:
By:
ylan Reingold, County Attorney