The June 2 meeting of the Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission always is well attended. Each June, the elected officials from the local Cities and the County Supervisors pass their Cable Franchise Fee revenue and expenditures budget for the coming year. With large deficits for both the County and the City of Sacramento, these are difficult times and revenue from any source is carefully reviewed and expended with due consideration. 70% of Access Sacramento operational funding comes from the Cable Commission. What would be the decision this year?

When Item #3 was called, the Commission Executive Director Bob Davison reported the franchise fee revenue in the coming year, totaling approximately $12 million dollars, continued to be on track and he recommended continued funding per the requests of the community programming organizations, including Access Sacramento. Carl Burton, Access Sacramento Board Chair, spoke first on behalf of the Access Sacramento budget request and concluded his comments, “In these challenging financial times, your support is vital and much appreciated. We respectfully request continued funding for the coming fiscal year.”

Following Carl were other speakers. Several Access Sacramento Board members cited the success of the organization over the past year. JoAnn Fuller, Vice-Chair describe how the Board has been prudent with the resources we have been granted.