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City Council budget rises to $4.23 million as WITN warns of $244,000 PEG funding gap
Summary
City Council proposed an FY 2026 budget that increases staff and community funding, and WITN station managers told council the government access channel faces a structural shortfall as Comcast subscribers fall, forcing the council to consider cuts and alternative revenue sources.
City Council presented its FY 2026 operating request April 2, proposing a combined budget of $4,231,972 across the general and CBT funds, with council staff and elected‑official costs the driving increases and the city’s government access channel, WITN, warning of a structural funding shortfall.
The council’s presentation, led by Chief of Staff Elijah Simmons and council staff, showed a total FY 2026 request that is about 11 percent above the current level and a general‑fund increase of roughly 20 percent. Officials attributed much of the increase to personnel costs, added positions and reallocated lines.
Why it matters: the proposed council budget increases the office’s staffing and community programming budgets while the government access channel used to broadcast council and committee meetings faces a revenue decline tied to falling cable subscriptions. Council must reconcile these items as part of the overall city budget process.
Key council budget items - Totals and increases: The combined council budget (general fund and CBT fund) was presented at $4,231,972, an 11 percent increase. The general fund portion was shown at $3,194,912, up about 20 percent. - Staffing and new positions: Council staff said two mid‑year positions were added in FY 2025 and remain funded, and the FY 2026 request includes the director of education advocacy and a legislative aid/financial controller. A legislative administrative assistant position was moved from 50 percent CBT funding to full general‑fund to align job duties. - Interns and policy fellows: The budget adds funding for an internship program (four interns) at about $15,000 and continues support for two policy fellows (a stipend arrangement with a university partner). - Community support and scholarships: Council discretionary funds and scholarships remain recurring items: the presentation showed roughly $29,076 in discretionary funds per council member and a scholarship allocation of $4,000 per member. - Consultants and events: Council budgets consultant support and grants for community organizations; consultants were shown at about $354,000 in total, up $64,000.
WITN and CBT fund stress WITN leadership told the committee the government access channel’s funding is falling because cable subscriber counts used to calculate franchise fees have dropped sharply. Station manager Wendell Ralston presented subscriber data that showed the number of basic Comcast cable subscribers in Wilmington fell from 18,521 in 2016 to 8,435 by December 2024.
That decline, the WITN presentation said, produces a projected funding gap of about $244,000 for FY 2026 after accounting for expected franchise revenues and anticipated community‑support grants from Comcast and a service contract with Newcastle County. WITN staff said they cannot generate revenue from advertising or paid programming because of PEG channel rules, and they listed potential mitigations: cutting material and equipment costs, defunding a vacant producer post, pursuing additional service contracts (Newcastle County currently pays $34,500), and exploring studio rentals subject to legal review.
Council questions and next steps Council members pressed staff on the WITN shortfall and asked about options to reduce the gap and extend the CBT fund’s solvency. Staff said they had already reduced WITN material/supplies and equipment budget lines and had a vacant producer position that was defunded. Council discussed approaching Comcast about community support grant levels and said CBT commissioners and the council body would continue to examine the franchise‑revenue decline.
Other operational notes Council staff provided an organizational chart and noted two current vacancies: the producer position (vacant since Nov. 18, 2021 and subsequently defunded) and a director of education advocacy position (vacant since January; staff anticipated filling it in early May). The presentation included contact and sign‑up information for council updates.
Ending: Council did not adopt budget changes at the hearing. Staff said follow‑up materials will be posted and the Finance Committee will continue hearings and negotiations ahead of the charter deadline to adopt a balanced FY 2026 budget.
