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Council approves amended MOU guaranteeing $250,000 to Whitewater Community Television for 2026
Summary
The Richmond Common Council voted to amend and approve a memorandum of understanding to guarantee up to $250,000 in franchise fees to Whitewater Community Television for calendar year 2026, contingent on collection levels and subsequent Board of Works approval steps.
The Richmond Common Council on Dec. 15 approved an amended memorandum of understanding that guarantees Whitewater Community Television (WCTV) up to $250,000 in franchise-fee revenue for calendar year 2026.
Scott Bevington, vice president of Whitewater Community Television, and several current and former WCTV participants described the station’s role in workforce training and community programming during a presentation to council. Colby Cox, Luke Shaheen and Samantha Parks each spoke about the training and career benefits WCTV has provided, saying the station gives local students practical media skills.
Councilors and finance-committee members pressed for procedural and financial clarifications before voting. A councilor asked whether the MOU’s language — which states the MOU is contingent on Richmond and the Board of Works and Public Safety executing a resolution within 90 days — would allow the agreement to terminate if the Board of Works failed to act. The corporate attorney replied the Board of Works holds the franchise-fee contracts and its approval is a necessary procedural step.
Finance committee members said a business plan from WCTV is in progress but not yet complete. Councilors discussed past franchise-fee allocations (members recalled historical splits of roughly 40% and 65%) and noted WCTV had requested full franchise-fee allocation in prior discussions. The amendment approved by council guarantees up to $250,000 in franchise fees for 2026; the MOU also says the city will not pay more than it actually collects in franchise fees.
The council first adopted the amendment by voice vote and then proceeded to a roll-call confirmation. The roll-call on the amendment recorded votes: Doug Goss, Lucinda Wright, Bill Engel, Anne Taylor, Gary Turner, Jane Bumbleau, Justin Burkhart and Gary Purcell — aye; Mary Parker — no. The presiding officer declared the amendment carried. The council then voted to approve the amended MOU by roll call; the motion carried with nine votes in favor.
The corporate attorney and council members noted the Board of Works must still take required steps on the franchise-fee contracts, and that the MOU’s continuance could depend on that separate approval. Council members said they would seek any additional documentation requested from WCTV, including the business plan, as the partnership moves forward.
The council’s action formalizes a guaranteed funding level for WCTV in 2026 but leaves in place the procedural requirement that the Board of Works and Public Safety execute related franchise-fee arrangements.
