A plan to fund broadband Internet infrastructure with AT&T by Solano County for $1 million has stalled, as delays in the process prevented the allocation of ARPA funds before the deadline. Despite this setback, county staff announced that the ARPA funds would be redirected to other broadband projects within the county.
Chief Information Officer Tim Flannigan explained that the county initiated a study in 2022 to address broadband access and promote digital equity. The collaboration with AT&T was delayed due to holdups with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), risking the usage of ARPA funds.
To avoid losing the allocated funds, county staff identified three alternative projects with Comcast and other Internet service providers. Flannigan emphasized that while the county does not directly finance broadband Internet construction, it incentivizes Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to expand their networks in Solano County.
Although AT&T still plans to proceed with their original project if CPUC funding is secured, the company expressed disappointment over not receiving support from the county. Supervisor Monica Brown voiced her support for the project, highlighting the importance of Internet access as a fundamental public utility, comparable to water or electricity.
In addition to the broadband discussion, Supervisor Brown shared concerns from an anonymous letter regarding the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Bay Area 2050 plan. The letter criticized the financial burden on North Bay counties for services that may not directly benefit the region. Brown stressed the importance of monitoring the plan to ensure that funds are not diverted away from the North Bay.
Supervisor Wanda Williams, who represents Solano County on the ABAG Executive Board, mentioned that she would provide a report on the Bay Area 2050 plan at a future meeting. Brown also expressed interest in receiving updates on a passenger rail study conducted by Solano Transit Authority and the City of Vallejo.
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