DATE: January 27, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Mike Kerr, Director of Information Technology/Chief Information Officer
SUBJECT: Grant Agreement for Direct Mailings of Affordable Broadband Options
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with the California Emerging Technology Fund for direct notification mailings of low-cost broadband options, effective January 27, 2026 through June 30, 2026, total not to exceed $180,000.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the County to serve as the contracting lead for the low-cost broadband direct notification campaign on behalf of the five-county broadband region, which includes the Counties of Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, and Tulare (Region). This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve the recommended action, the County will not receive reimbursement funds and will be unable to participate in the direct mailing notification campaign, informing households throughout the region of available low-cost broadband offerings, which could hinder successful broadband adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Costs for performing the direct notification campaign will be reimbursed by the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) grant. There is no County match requirement. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Information Technology Services Department Org 8905 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
CETF is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to close the digital divide by accelerating broadband deployment and adoption to unserved and underserved communities. In December 2023, CETF was awarded a grant from the California Public Utilities Commission California Advanced Services Fund Adoption Account, to support outreach to low-income ...
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