DEXTER — In a special meeting Tuesday, the Dexter Board of Aldermen unanimously approved amending it’s city code as its related to cable TV franchising fees to now include telephone and internet services.
The amendment was made to Chapter 630, which is the city’s gross receipts, specially section 630.060. That section was last updated in April 1984.
“When this was formed back in 1984, cable television companies were not in the telephone business, not in the internet business,” explained City Administrator Mark Stidham. “There was no internet hardly in 1984.”
City officials, Stidham said, learned the code had not been changed to reflect the fees being collected by NewWave Communications.
“We didn’t know; we’ve been getting 5 percent” from NewWave, Stidham said. “They’ve been collecting it all along.”
The amendment was a “housekeeping thing,” Stidham said. “We need to get it on our books to be in compliance with what (NewWave Communications) actually is collecting and distributing. We’ve been receiving (the 5 percent) anyway.”
The ordinance passed by a 4-0 vote. Frank Killian, president of the Board of Alderman, acted in Mayor Jason Banken’s place as he was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.
The ordinance now says: “Every person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of transmitting, distributing and selling cable television, including telephone and internet services, if provided by such entity, within the City of Dexter, shall pay the City of Dexter an annual payment of 5 percent of the gross monthly rental receipts, but excluding installation and service charges.”
With its passage, the change went into effect on Tuesday.