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Council declines to join Rainier Communications Comcast audit, citing uncertain return
Summary
Council voted unanimously March 11 not to participate in an RCC-led Comcast audit that would cost Orting $10,000; staff said the audit might recover funds but could also yield nothing, and RCC apportions cost by population.
Council considered whether Orting should pay a $10,000 flat fee to participate in a Rainier Communications Commission (RCC) audit of Comcast receipts. City Administrator Mark Bethune said RCC selected an auditor and that Orting's fee—$10,000—represents the flat rate for cities under 10,000 population; larger cities pay more. He cautioned the council that the audit might not recover any funds and that the city could lose its $10,000 investment. "There's a chance that you won't recoup your $10,000 or any extra money, so there's risk there," Bethune said.
Council members asked for the auditor's proposal, how RCC apportions costs, how many cities are participating and what Orting's likely recovery might be. Staff said cost-share was by population groups and that eight jurisdictions participate in RCC (DuPont, Fife, Orting, Pierce County, Puyallup, Ruston, Sumner and University Place); staff said dues to RCC last year were close to $10,000. Citizen and former RCC participants in the audience described the mixed experience of audits and the possibility of protracted negotiations with Comcast.
After discussion and a brief legal-note from City Attorney Dan Lloyd about postponement options, the council took a roll-call vote and declined to authorize the expenditure—the roll call recorded No votes from all members present. Administration indicated it would provide the auditor proposal and further information to the council if members wanted to revisit the item.
