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Kern supervisors approve sole-source agreement to bring low-cost broadband to Lost Hills
Summary
The board approved a sole-source agreement and MOU to allow Unwired Broadband to build wireless service in Lost Hills, funded with a county designation not to exceed $599,282.68; the plan guarantees a consumer rate capped at $30/month for 100/20 Mbps and provides free service to several county facilities.
The Kern County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 approved a proposed sole-source agreement with Unwired Broadband and a memorandum of understanding with Educational Leasing LLC (an affiliate of The Wonderful Company) to deliver high-speed, low-cost Internet to Lost Hills.
Jason Wiebe of the County Administrative Office said the wireless solution is necessary because hardwired fiber is not available to Lost Hills. The recommended contract amount is not to exceed $599,282.68, funded from the Lost Hills economic opportunity designation; staff said the network can be built and activated within about four months after permits are cleared.
Unwired representatives described the company’s focus on rural communities. Troy Klinger, Unwired’s director of network operations, thanked the board and partners, and Melissa Frank of The Wonderful Company recognized Supervisor Couch and county staff for their roles in bringing the project forward.
The agreement includes consumer protections and community benefits: staff said Unwired will offer a guaranteed rate not to exceed $30 per month for minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload for at least three years, and will provide free high-speed service to Kern County Fire Station 26 (Lost Hills), the Kern County recreation building and Hall Ambulance Lost Hills station. The staff recommendation included approval of budget adjustments and authority for the chair to sign the agreement and MOU.
Supervisor Couch moved to approve the sole-source agreement and the MOU; colleagues seconded the motion and the board voted to approve the item unanimously. Chair and supervisors praised The Wonderful Company and Unwired for the partnership and noted interest in expanding similar approaches to other communities.
Staff indicated Unwired participates in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (if reinstated) and that the service will move Lost Hills from 'unserved' to 'served' under FCC criteria, improving affordable access in the community.
