2013-07-10 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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2014 North Metro Telecommunications Commission Budget Talking Points Overall Organizational Goals • To participate in national and local legislative and legal challenges to protect local franchising and funding for community television for future franchises. • To prepare for the franchise renewal process by developing strategies and building financial reserves. • To meet the growing needs and demands of public access producers by expanding facility availability through the addition of a 20 hour per week assistant. • To upgrade the website to a more user friendly source for local, HD, video -on- demand programming that can be viewed using any device. • To balance the integrity of the production equipment and the productivity of staff and the public, with the financial needs of the Cities. • To replace equipment, when required, with HD capable tools for producing higher quality programming that can be immediately showcased via the website. HD programming will also improve the look of current public access channels. • Continue to provide program playback and channel management services, computer and video equipment maintenance and consulting services, internet streaming services for city meetings, program production and event coverage services, and public access to television production for our cities, schools and general public. Estimated Fund Balance/Revenues/Expenses ■ The beginning fund balances for 2014 are estimates based on previous allocations, planned spending for 2013, and estimated income. • Estimated revenues include: Franchise fees based on the actual first quarter franchise fee payment. PEG fees are based on the actual first quarter PEG fee payment. Because of a franchise fee review settlement with Comcast, PEG funding through 2017 is no longer threatened by recent FCC orders. Other income includes dub fees, sponsorship spots, production services, and $123,339 withdrawal from the equipment reserves. Interest income is estimated based on the first quarter interest earnings of this year. • Estimated expenditures include the operating expenses, capital expenses, and the franchise fee payment to the cities. Franchise fees back to cities are budgeted at $320,000. This is $35,000 more than the previous year, a 12.3% increase. • The year end fund balances include: o The Operating reserve at 25% of the operating budget. o Accrued vacation, sick and comp time. The total value of owed vacation, sick, and comp time to employees. P. 1 10