Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Franchise Fee topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community TV reports $397,604 state franchise‑fee subsidy; members voice long‑term concern
Summary
At the Nov. 13 City of West Bend Community TV Committee meeting staff reported the city’s share of a state video franchise‑fee subsidy totaled $397,604 and said the payment will arrive next June. Committee members expressed concern about whether the 5% subsidy will continue in future years and described ongoing lobbying efforts in Madison.
At the City of West Bend Community TV Committee meeting on Nov. 13, 2019, staff reported the city’s portion of a newly structured state video franchise‑fee subsidy totaled $397,604 and said the payment is expected to be received next June.
The committee was shown a first‑year report that uses a state formula — 5% of gross receipts — to compute the subsidy. According to the report, AT&T’s Wisconsin video service receipts generated $115,962 and Charter Communications’ receipts generated $281,642, for the West Bend total of $397,604. "This was the requirement that the state passed down to all video franchise fees," said a staff member presenting the report.
Committee members and staff placed the figures in context: the subsidy is intended to replace reduced local franchise fee revenue under the state change, and the payment mechanism will make the city whole for those reductions in the near term. "We're concerned that that subsidy is not gonna continue," one committee member said, adding the worry is chiefly about the long‑term reliability of the subsidy.
Officials said some lobbying work already occurred: committee members Patrick and Mike traveled to Madison in June to meet with legislators and communicate concerns through the statewide communications program. Staff said the city and its representatives plan to remain engaged with the statewide program and continue outreach to legislators if needed.
Staff characterized the city’s current Community TV fund balance as healthy and said there is no immediate fiscal alarm, but the committee emphasized the importance of monitoring the program and being prepared if the subsidy changes. No formal direction to adopt budget cuts or new revenue measures was taken at the meeting; staff said they will bring additional updates as figures are finalized and when the next report is issued.
The report presenter said the subsidy calculation and distribution are formulaic and based on gross receipts reporting, and that the city will receive its payment under the state's schedule next June. The committee did not adopt any policy actions at this meeting related to the subsidy.
