LAKEPORT >> A fee for Mediacom customers to help fund Lake County Public, Educational and Government television channel was approved by the Lake County Board of Supervisors this week.
The fee, which will total 1 percent of gross revenues from franchise holders, will be used for capital costs of the PEG station only, as it cannot be used for operation costs by law.
The station broadcasts on Channel 8 for Mediacom customers.
“We were given an entire TV studio from a PEG station in Pacifica but we don’t have a studio to use it. It is just sitting in the back of Clearlake City Hall right now,” Public, Educational and Government (PEG) Board of Directors Chair Ed Robey said.
According to Robey, other jurisdictions have implemented similar fees, with no lawsuits or challenges.
District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock and District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown did not support the fee, citing that customers didn’t have a choice in the matter. Others on the board suggested there was an option.
“They can change providers,” District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington said. “They don’t have to use Mediacom.”
The fee was approved with a 3-2 vote, with Comstock and Brown dissenting. A second reading of the fee ordinance will be held during the Jan. 6 supervisors meeting.
Additionally, the PEG station’s 2014/15 budget was approved by the board.
According to the budget, which submitted by Robey in February, $5,000 from each member in the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) was needed to help meet obligations.
Total projected revenues for the PEG station is estimated at $88,500, with expenses estimated at $88,850.
Currently, the county and the City of Clearlake are the parties of the JPA.
Lake County Administrative Officer Matt Perry said the PEG contract should be amended to include “provisions requiring the contractor to maintain fiscal records,” as well as a provision allowing the county to end the agreement or not provide funding “if the budget does not include an appropriation of the funding.”
Robey agreed, as well as proposed including the City of Lakeport in the JPA, as well as providing establishing a two-year term for the two PEG boardmembers who are appointed by the board. The remaining three PEG board members are appointed by the supervisors.
The budget and revisions were unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
