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Staff outlines costs to outfit city studio after Thelma Bolton change; commission requests follow-up
Summary
Communications staff gave commissioners an estimate to establish an in‑house studio (about $61,900 one-time) and said the city currently pays $1,300 monthly for the external studio; commissioners asked staff to return with analysis on potential savings and operational options.
City communications staff on May 22 provided a cost estimate to outfit an in‑house broadcast studio after commissioners asked about equipment remaining from the Thelma Bolton facility and ongoing production needs.
Chief of Staff Cynthia Ramos said the city currently pays $1,300 per month for studio rental at WUFT (about $15,600 annually). Communications Director Jennifer Smart and staff detailed an estimated one‑time cost of about $61,900 to outfit an internal studio (breakdown provided by staff): soundproofing ($8,000), electrical ($5,000), ceiling/grid reinforcement ($4,000), grid and fixtures (~$13,000), three professional cameras and accessories (~$24,000–$30,000 depending on selections), tripods/mounts ($1,500), lenses/accessories ($9,000), a video switcher/recorder and teleprompter and related software.
Smart said the city has some outdated lighting and two older cameras in storage that are serviceable only as backups; the older lighting produces too much heat and the original gridding was not saved. Commissioners asked staff to analyze whether establishing an in‑house capability would be cost‑effective compared with renting, including potential community uses or modest fees for outside groups. Staff said they would return with additional analysis and options for commissioners to consider.
