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2013 North Metro Telecommunications Commission <br /> Budget <br /> Talking Points <br /> Overall Organizational Goals <br /> • To participate in national and local legislative and legal challenges to protect local <br /> franchising and funding for community television for future franchises. <br /> • To begin preparations for the franchise renewal process. <br /> • To balance the integrity of the production equipment and the productivity of staff <br /> and the public, with the financial needs of the Cities. <br /> • Continue to provide program playback and channel management services, <br /> computer and video equipment maintenance and consulting services, internet <br /> streaming services for city meetings, program production and event coverage <br /> services, and public access to television production for our cities, schools and <br /> general public. <br /> Estimated Fund Balance/Revenues /Expenses <br /> • The beginning fund balances for 2013 are estimates based on previous allocations, <br /> planned spending for 2012, and estimated income. <br /> • Estimated revenues include: Franchise fees based on the actual first quarter <br /> franchise fee payment. PEG fees are based on the actual first quarter PEG fee <br /> payment. Because of a franchise fee review settlement with Comcast, PEG <br /> funding through 2017 is no longer threatened by recent FCC orders. Other <br /> income includes dub fees, sponsorship spots, equipment rental, production <br /> services, and $162,636 withdrawal from the equipment/vehicle reserves. Interest <br /> income is estimated based on the first quarter interest earnings of this year. <br /> • Estimated expenditures include the operating expenses, capital expenses, and the <br /> franchise fee payment to the cities. Franchise fees back to cities are budgeted at <br /> $285,000. <br /> • The year end fund balances include: <br /> o The Operating reserve at 25% of the operating budget. <br /> o Accrued vacation, sick and comp time. The total value of owed <br /> vacation, sick, and comp time to employees. <br /> o The Capital equipment fund is money set aside for the purchase of major <br /> video production equipment systems. Examples of what this will be <br /> needed for include the eventual upgrade to HD for the production truck, <br /> studio, and master control equipment. It is estimated that this equipment <br /> will require replacement near the end of the current franchise, in 2017. <br /> o The truck replacement fund is to replace the production truck. The <br /> current truck is eleven years old. It may need to be replaced in two to <br /> three years. The cost of replacement is 175,000- 185,000. <br /> 24 <br />