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Board debates underwriting rates and ‘pay-to-play’ proposal; chair to consult city attorney before council presentation
Summary
Board members reviewed underwriting rates and fundraising options, discussed a proposal described as “pay to play” (or “pay to pray” in a verbal quip), and agreed the chair will consult the city attorney and return with guidance before presenting a formal proposal to the city council.
Board members discussed station underwriting rates and fundraising ideas after the chair said rate sheets for local underwriting showed very low per-spot prices and urged the board to seek additional revenue sources.
The chair—which the transcript identifies as the meeting’s chairperson but does not provide a personal name during the remarks—said review of a rate sheet for a community underwriting partner showed spots as low as 38–60 cents per play and suggested the station should try to bring more revenue into the station’s nonprofit arm. “My whole thing about bringing or my idea more so bringing more money to the in income into the station was to on on the on the, not so much underwriting,” the chair said.
Board members noted the market reality that small, local businesses have limited advertising budgets and that raising rates risks losing underwriters. Richard (a council member referenced during the chair’s remarks) noted businesses are “bum and pop small stores” and pricing must stay within what local businesses can afford.
The meeting revisited an earlier concept described in board discussion as “pay to play” (also jokingly called “pay to pray” in the record). The chair said the next step was to consult the city attorney (Scott and Frank were named as contacts) about how to present the concept to the council and ensure it complied with municipal rules. “The next step for that was for me to reach out to the attorney,” the chair said; the board asked the chair to contact Scott and Frank and then present a formal recommendation to the council.
Separately, Marilyn asked about the station budget and noted the agenda did not include a formal budget review; staff said links to reports were available but agreed to place budget items on a future agenda for board review.
No vote was taken on changing underwriting policy or adopting any pay-to-play program at the meeting. The chair will seek legal guidance from the city attorney and circulate follow-up information to the board before any public presentation or council request.
