Bel Air receives Verizon cable franchise ordinance; public hearing set for Aug. 18

The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on July 21 voted to receive Ordinance 8 43-25, a proposed five-year, nonexclusive cable franchise agreement with Verizon Maryland LLC, and scheduled a public hearing and possible vote for Aug. 18. The motion to receive the ordinance passed unanimously.

Town staff said the proposed franchise would extend terms and conditions of the town’s existing cable agreement and leave the municipal franchise fee at 3% of annual gross revenue. "The franchise fee of 3% of annual gross revenue remains the same," staff said. Staff also told the board the cable business is declining as customers migrate to streaming services and that Verizon’s proposed contract includes a 12‑month cancellation clause.

Commissioners discussed federal constraints on franchise fees and service provisions. One commissioner noted the federal regulatory environment limits the town’s ability to set different fees, explaining that previous Comcast negotiations constrained what the town could demand from Verizon. Staff also described negotiations that restored local customer‑service commitments that had initially been removed from Verizon’s draft and said the town’s negotiated provisions now mirror Harford County’s agreement in many respects.

The board recorded the vote to receive the ordinance as: Commissioner Rutledge, Aye; Commissioner Chismar, Aye; Commissioner Taylor, Aye; Commissioner Chance, Aye; Chair Eddington, Aye. No members of the public spoke on the ordinance during tonight’s meeting. The ordinance and the full draft franchise agreement are published on the town’s legislation page ahead of the Aug. 18 public hearing.