Board approves WCTV franchise-fee pass-through, seeks business plan and regular financial reports

The Board of Public Works and Safety on Dec. 18 approved Resolution 15-2025, implementing a memorandum of understanding to pass through cable franchise fees to WCTV up to a cap of $250,000.

Beth Fields, director of strategic initiatives, told the board the Common Council approved the underlying memorandum (contract 1802025) and that the city previously passed through 40% of franchise fees, which was increased earlier this year to 65% before the council decided to pass through 100% up to the $250,000 cap. Fields said the memorandum includes reporting requirements: quarterly financial reports due within 30 days of each quarter’s end, detailed accounting of expenditures, and annual financial reports and programming summaries.

Fields told the board WCTV provided an interim plan to a council working group and that a full business plan is expected by February. Fields said the organization is working with a consultant to complete the full plan.

During discussion, a board member identified themself as president of WCTV and said, “I will not vote on this resolution this evening,” which the board recorded before taking a voice vote in favor of the resolution. The board approved the resolution by voice vote.

The resolution implements the memorandum of understanding approved by the council (contract 1802025) and adds reporting and accountability requirements. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the motion was approved by voice vote. The board president and staff said they expect the WCTV business plan in February and quarterly financial reports thereafter.

The board moved on after approving the resolution; no additional conditions or funding changes were recorded at the meeting.