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MACTA WHITE PAPER <br />Page 8 <br />Franchise fees would be replaced with permit fees (sufficient to cover the cost of <br />permitting and monitoring of compliance) . Additionally, the provider would be assessed <br />tariffs levied for the use of public easements and rights -of -way. Such tariffs would be <br />sufficient to cover local costs of ancillary public communication needs associated with the <br />service such as receipt of services by public institutions and costs incurred by the <br />municipality in community programming or other community use of the communication <br />service being offered. <br />The concept of tariffs and the delivery of communications services without a franchise <br />pursuant to a state license and local permit must be further researched and modified to <br />comply with federal requirements and limitations on state and local authority. Such interplay <br />with the federal requirements would occur in the drafting of proposed statutory modifications <br />and is beyond the scope of this discussion. The ultimate goal would be provider neutrality <br />and simplification of process. <br />CONCLUSION <br />Upon initial review of this paper, with all necessary internal discussion and <br />modification, MACTA should circulate this policy paper to as broad an interest audience as <br />possible. Further feedback will uncover concerns, modify existing issues, and further clarify <br />statutory direction. MACTA would then appoint a small task force to respond to the drafting <br />of statutory proposals which MACTA (and hopefully the League of Minnesota Cities and <br />other supporting associations) can carry to the legislature. <br />TDC /rkr <br />C:\tDC\.NACrA \W Hff6PAP.OQ5 <br />Page 9 <br />