The Oxford Area Community Cable Commission got a boost from the Oxford Village Council last week.
Council voted 4-0 to give the cable commission 4 percent of the franchise fees it receives from Charter Communications, the area’s cable television provider.
Cable franchise fees are capped at 5 percent of each Charter cable subscriber’s total monthly bill.
The village has 824 cable subscribers, which, according to the franchise fees forecast included in the cable commission’s 2004 budget, is expected to generate $18,287 this year.
The village had been keeping 3 percent (approximately $10,000 annually, according to Clerk Rose Bejma) and giving 2 percent to the cable commission.
“I feel they deserve more than we’re giving them,” said Councilman George DelVigna, who also serves as the village representative on the cable commission. “We want to maintain and improve the quality of Channel 19 so they give good service to the community and we know what’s going on in the community.”
The cable commission oversees the funding and operation of Oxford Community Television Channel 19, the public access station available to cable subscribers in Oxford and Addison townships and the villages of Oxford and Leonard.
“We should be giving more,” said DelVigna, citing the increased cost of operating Channel 19 as the reason. “I’d like to see us give it all (5 percent) back.”
Channel 19 was recently forced to move out of its rent-free studio at Oxford High School and into a new studio at 1775 N. Lapeer Rd. for which the cable commission now pays $2,300 per month in rent.
Also, the cable commission is looking to spend approximately $30,000 in upgraded equipment.
Councilman Dave Bailey asked if there have been costs to the village associated with cable.
Manager Mark Slown replied, “Absolutely.”
Slown said it “varies quite a bit” and “depends on what’s going on.” In 2003 when Charter was performing upgrades to its system in the village, the manager said the village received “a lot of calls” from residents about things like workers tearing up their flower beds.
Slown said this required village employees to go on site and do follow-up by talking with the residents, contractors and the cable company.
The village clerk and treasurer have also spent time researching information on the franchise fees issue, he noted. “There’s been an expenditure of funds and use of resources,” Slown said.
Slown warned if council chooses to give all the franchise fees to the cable commission it will “put additional pressure on the village budget” because village resources wouldn’t be compensated.
Charles Kniffen, chairman of the cable commission and an Oxford Township trustee, reminded council the cable company is legally responsible to pay for any damages it causes.
Based on council’s discussion, DelVigna made a motion to give the cable commission 4 percent of the franchise fees and have the village keep 1 percent.
Oxford Township voted in December 2003 to give its entire 5 percent to the cable commission.
Addison Township voted at its March 1 meeting to table the franchise fees issue indefinitely.