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Sonoma County approves ARPA-funded internet subsidy and delegates authority to seek federal broadband grants
Summary
The Board approved a time-limited program to buy 556 one-year Comcast subscriptions for selected affordable housing sites and delegated authority to the Economic Development Collaborative director to apply for federal digital-equity grants, voting unanimously with four members present.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on March 11 approved a county program that will purchase 556 one-year Comcast internet subscriptions for residents at selected affordable housing sites and delegated authority to local staff to apply for and execute federal digital-access grants.
At a presentation on Item 35, Economic Development Collaborative staff said the subscriptions—funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars—will provide service at 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload for one year. Staff described selection criteria for sites: properties that house low-income seniors, families, farmworkers or people experiencing homelessness; properties that are in Comcast service areas; and sites that are operational during the program term. Staff said subscriptions must be activated by the end of 2026 to meet program timelines.
"These subscriptions will be distributed to residents of select affordable housing sites throughout the county," staff stated. The presentation also reviewed previous grant work with the Golden State Connect Authority and noted a $17,000,000 CPUC award for other local projects that will reach unserved locations in western Sonoma County.
Supervisors asked staff to clarify terms such as "family property" and how priority and alternate sites would be used if not all households opt in. County staff explained that "family property" refers to housing providers who prioritize families (for example, units with multiple bedrooms) and that alternates were identified because not all households are expected to enroll. The board voted to approve the recommended sites and to grant delegated authority to the EDC director to apply for and execute grants supporting digital access and equity.
The motion carried unanimously with four supervisors present. Staff said further outreach materials and coordination with housing providers and Comcast will follow once the sites are formally approved.
