08/11/2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • Our goal for 2004 is to design a functional system for the transmission of data from institution to institution, and to facilitate the purchase of the equipment, by each city that wishes to make use of the I -Net, necessary for the use of the system. We are currently at the maximum PEG fee allowed by our Memorandum of Understanding. We are, however, allowed to increase that level annually to cover cost of living increases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average CPI for 2002 was 2.4 %. Increasing the current PEG fee by this amount results in a six cent increase per subscriber, per month, to $2.51. 2004 is going to be a very expensive year for us. The new building, equipment upgrades, and development of the I -Net will present real financial challenges. While subscriber Levels have been declining across the last year, there is hope that with the cable system upgrade, availability of high speed internet service, and new home construction in the North Metro franchise area that will change. Because of all these factors, the PEG fee should be increased. 2004 is going to be the most amazing year. We will have built a state -of- the -art production facility, taken important steps to becoming tapeless and wireless, enhanced our news program, delved into alternative income sources, and set the groundwork for developing and utilizing our valuable I -Net system. The Media Center is finally going to become what the seven cities anticipated when they first took over management of the department. We will have the facility, tools, and staff necessary to provide a valuable service, for years to come, to the residents of the North Central Suburbs. With the continued support of the Operations Committee and the Cable Commission, channel 15 can only grow as a source for information, entertainment and services focused on our seven cities.