Agenda - 12-09-1995 - Attachment 2

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practical. If these channels are to be fully programmed with government information, educational programming and citizen access there much be funds for equipment and facilities and a practical operating budget. Chapel Hill is now negotiating the PEG with Time- Warner and seeking a grant of $350,000 for equipment and a "pass through" or annual grant keyed to gross revenues. Orange County should similarly insist on a facilities grant (in the area of $250,000) and a similar pass through. Orange County government should also require a grant for equipment for the cable casting of Commissioners Meetings, School Board Meetings and (perhaps) OWASA meetings. 3.THE CREATION OF AN INSTITUTIONAL NETWORK WHICH WOULD CONNECT GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY Time-Warner is in the telecommunications business in both Wake and Durham counties and expects to expand to Orange County. The fiber optic system is expected to carry much more than television programs. The citizens of the county must have access through the county government and the schools to essential information . The beginning of this access is the institutional/government network. The Cable Advisory Committee feels this is an opportunity to bring the county into the information age that should not be lost. We believe what we would like to require Time_Warner for a franchise is not unreasonable and well within the ability of this huge corporation to provide. As Time-Warner gets into telecommunication in the Triangle area they stand to earn multi-millions of dollars. With strong funding the people of the county can also profit from the wealth of information from PEG channels.