Orange County NC Website
installation with no upfront County cost (given the fast apprcach of winter and the likelihood for <br />severe or inclement weather), TWC declined, But, the possibility remains in Staffs opinion that <br />TWC ought be willing to refund the up front $4,000 if agreement can be reached on the <br />franchise, (See Attachment B for County/TWC correspondence.) <br />In addition to paying the $4,000 (with the possibility of a refund) or waiting to see the exact <br />outcome of the franchise negotiations before any County dollars are spent, County Staff <br />investigated two more options for obtaining weather and local information television services for <br />the Government Services Center. <br />The first was whether the Ccunty could "piggy back" on the franchise agreement the Tawn of <br />Hillsborcugh has with TWC, TWC did provide free install and monthly service to several town <br />locations, but the Town's franchise limits this to buildings either owned by or leased by the <br />Town, and the Town may not assign the privilege or benefits to a third party, <br />The second was to contract for a satellite dish, Purchasing staff investigated services available <br />in this area and received a quote from Direct TV, Under the Direct TV proposal, a satellite dish <br />would be placed atop the Government Services Center to provide reception for the Weather <br />Ghannel and other local news outlets, at an installaticn cast of approximately $394 (one <br />receiver plus labor involved in installation) and a monthly charge of $36.98 for one year. <br />Orange County wculd awn the system and would be able to cancel service at any time should <br />this matter be successfully resolved with TWC in the future. Hillsborough has indicated that <br />there would be no special permit or permission required to install a television satellite dish to <br />serve the Government Services Building, (See Attachment C,) <br />To summarize, staff has investigated three options: <br />Authorize cable installation now through TWC at the GSC at a cost of $4,000, with a <br />request far a refund from TWC after a franchise agreement is reached; <br />2, Wait and continue to assert that TWC should provide the service at no cost to the County <br />at the GSC, and make this point central tc the approval of a new franchise agreement; <br />3, Authorize installation of a satellite dish (but reserve the right to cancel in the future <br />should TWC services be made available to the GSC at no charge) at a projected annual <br />cast of $444 plus $394 installation fee, <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: County staff will return on a future agenda with any budget amendment <br />that may be required, <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The County Manager recommends that the BOCC approve Option <br />3 above: Authorize installation of a satellite dish (but reserve the right to cancel in the future <br />should TWC services be made available to the GSC at no charge) at a projected annual cost of <br />$444 plus $394 installation fee, <br />