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also charge an hourly rate of $150 per hour, but maintenance contracts get preference. Tightrope has a separate annual fee for their master control playback systems maintenance service. It includes software upgrades. With four channels, the cost would be about $1,750 annually. Alpha Video and Tightrope do not trouble-shoot cable system problems or problems with equipment not purchased through them, so those services are not included. You would have to hire someone to take care of that stuff. Staffing The average Minneapolis area salary (for cable joint powers organizations...stand-alone Cities typically pay more) for a lower-level experienced video producer, who could also operate the playback system is $37,000 to $45,000 annually. A more experienced videographer with some technical trouble-shooting capabilities will average $42,000 - $52,000 per year. I believe the Lino Lakes benefits package tacks on another $15,500 per year per employee. Legal Services Franchise Renewal: NMTV will begin the three year franchise renewal process at the end of next year. Both the Comcast and CenturyLink franchises will be up for negotiation. The franchising authorities (us) have many responsibilities during this process, including to make sure that the cable companies are following through with their franchise requirements, are properly compensating the Cities for the use of the public rights of way, are following required customer service standards, are capable of providing promised technical quality of service, and in the case of CenturyLink are meeting service area requirements. This is all accomplished by the cable administrator working with legal counsel and a team of consultants. Typically, members of the community are consulted via a Needs Assessment and a Strategic Plan is established, a technical audit of the system must be performed, a financial analysis must be done, and a fee audit should be conducted to verify proper franchise and PEG fee payments. The results of one needs assessment/strategic plan can be utilized for both franchise negotiations. However, as they are different companies with different issues and infrastructure, technical and financial/fee audits will need to be conducted for each cable company. This is also the time that any disputes over suspected franchise violations are settled. Legal Cost PER Franchise: $35,000 to $125,000 x 2 Consultant Costs Needs Ascertainment/Strategic Plan Development: $53,000 - $56,000 Consultant Costs Technical Audit: $13,200 x 2 Consultant Costs Financial Analysis Initial Review and Report: $7,500 x 2 Consultant Costs Financial Analysis If They Find Something in Initial Review: Varies, but More (I spoke with Cor Wilson of the North Suburban Cable Commission. She said the total was a little over $100,000 for final consultant costs during 2011-2012 for their renewal process.)