§ 26-49. Minimum OVS requirements for public, educational and government use of system.

(a)

A franchise agreement for an open video system franchisee may provide that the OVS franchisee shall pay to the county, at a time directed by the county, an amount equal to the highest amount contributed by a cable franchisee under its franchise for and in support of public, educational and government use (including use of the system for an institutional network) of its cable system.

(b)

To the extent that a cable franchisee is providing other in-kind support, whether in the form of facilities, equipment, or services, a franchise agreement for an OVS may contain the equivalent support within a time and in a manner directed by the county, or provide a cash equivalent acceptable to the county.

(c)

In applying this section, the county shall ensure that the obligations borne by the open video system operator in a franchise agreement are no greater or lesser than the obligation imposed upon cable franchisees, taken as a whole, as the county determines will provide the greatest benefits to the community.

(d)

The county may increase the support required under this section or specified in a franchise agreement with an open video system operator as the support that cable franchisees are required to provide increases.

(Ord. No. 02-18, § 2, 7-30-02)