Council authorizes staff to amend Midco franchise to preserve in-kind cable at emergency facilities

The East Grand Forks City Council on June 3 authorized staff to pursue an amendment to the Midco franchise agreement that would remove school service from the in-kind provision while continuing cable service for select city facilities.

Council Member Karen Peterson asked for clarification about where the cable service would be used and its cost. Staff said the in-kind service would primarily support television and adapters at 24-hour emergency operations locations — the fire station (living quarters and dispatch) and the police dispatch desk — and could be extended to the civic center at council direction. Staff estimated a standard market cost of roughly $110–$115 per cable box per month; by keeping the service as an in-kind item under the franchise the city would receive a 30% discount off that market rate, per the FCC order cited by staff.

City Administrator Reed Hutton told the council the city’s franchise revenue from Midco in 2024 was about $108,000, collected as a 5% franchise fee on Midco’s cable receipts. "That was the total annual collection," Hutton said, explaining the fee funds the city’s right-of-way allowances and franchise arrangement.

Council voted by roll call to authorize staff to proceed with the recommended amendment and to allow staff-level work with Midco on the franchise renewal, which staff said expires in December 2025. The authorization directs city staff to return to council with proposed contract language or recommendations as part of the franchise renewal process.