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Regional cable commission approves FY25‑26 budget; MetroEast highlights $1 million grant program
Summary
Fairview councilors heard a brief presentation from the Multnomah County Cable Regulatory Commission and MetroEast Community Media. The commission recommended a FY25‑26 budget that maintains a $1 million grant program, and MetroEast described training, grants and programming support for local groups.
The Multnomah County Cable Regulatory Commission (MHCRC) presented its recommended fiscal 2025‑26 budget to Fairview councilors on June 4; council approved the commission's request to send the budget forward for member‑jurisdiction approvals after a short presentation.
MHCRC staff and commissioners said franchise and PEG fee revenue has declined statewide as cable service patterns change, but the commission has recommended a FY25‑26 budget that keeps a $1,000,000 grant program intact for community media projects and capacity building. The commission said declining franchise revenues will require strategic planning over coming years to sustain grants and community media services.
MetroEast, the community media center that operates production facilities and public‑access channels in east Multnomah County, described results from a recent community needs assessment and a curriculum that focuses on training residents to “tell their own stories.” John Walton, MetroEast director of production services, said the organization wants to “invigorate civic engagement” by supporting content, training and streaming for nonprofit and neighborhood groups.
Why it matters: MetroEast offers a channel and production services that local governments and nonprofits use for outreach, civic programming and election coverage. Commissioners and staff urged member jurisdictions to sustain funding to preserve production capacity as cable‑based revenues erode.
Details from the session
- Commission budget: MHCRC staff said the proposed FY25‑26 operating budget includes $1,000,000 for grant awards, roughly the same amount budgeted for the current fiscal year. The commission will seek approval from member entities for final adoption.
- MetroEast programming and training: MetroEast reported it has completed a needs assessment and offers equipment, classes and production services aimed at youth, nonprofits and neighborhood producers. Staff said recent projects included election and civic‑information work and short informational videos intended to help local jurisdictions communicate changes to residents.
Council action
Council approved the motion to forward the MHCRC recommended budget (fiscal 2025‑26) as presented by the commission to member jurisdictions for their formal approval.
Ending
Commissioners warned that the budget picture will require review as cable revenues continue to decline; MetroEast asked member cities to value and use local production capacity for outreach and public information.
