Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Media Cable Fund topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Merrimack media head-end quote raises cable fund spending by $60,000; user fees to offset cost
Summary
Budget staff reported an $80,000 quote to replace the town’s cable-cast head end; the media budget line will rise by $60,000 to $95,000 and staff said the increase is fully offset by franchise/user fees, not the tax rate.
Town staff told the Town Council that the Media department received a late quote to replace the cable-cast head end system used to distribute Merrimack TV content.
Media staff reported the vendor quote at roughly $80,000; staff said that will raise the head-end capital line (account 32-32-8504) by $60,000 to a total $95,000. Nick (media staff) described the head end as "essential" to the department: "It's really, objectively the most important piece of equipment we have in our department," he said, noting the last formal budget for that equipment was in 2019 and that this technology typically needs replacement every five to seven years.
Town staff emphasized the spending is revenue-neutral to taxpayers: "Remember, this is 100% offset by user fees," Paul said. Finance staff indicated the cable fund had a fund balance (about $191,000 as of the end of 2023-24) and that the budget would draw down the balance by an estimated $90,000 under current projections; staff warned the fund balance could be largely used up by 2027–28 if trends continue.
Staff said other line-item corrections were also made for media workers' compensation calculations and that the council will see the corresponding revenue increase on the revenues schedule later in the budget review. There was no council vote on Jan. 8; staff said the media revenue and expense changes would be incorporated in the reviewed budget documents.
The council discussed the policy question of whether to shift some media support from franchise fees toward the general fund in the future. Staff reiterated a previously discussed rationale for supporting the media division beyond just cable playback, noting the department produces original programming, livestreams, social media, and a local radio station.
