Supervisors sign temporary contract for cable access programming

The Board of Supervisors approved a temporary contract Thursday to operate cable access TV in Carson City while the city finds a new contractor to provide the service.

City Manager Linda Ritter said Reno's Sierra Nevada Community Access Television will operate the two channels now provided by Carson Access Television Foundation for the next six months while the city reviews proposals to replace the nonprofit. The foundation's contract ends Dec. 31 and will not be renewed by the city. Supervisors say they want better service and that the foundation has had financial issues for several years.

The temporary contract will cost the city a maximum of $55,000.

Mayor Marv Teixeira said that will ensure the channels "don't go black" and that the access channels continue to provide coverage of city board and commission meetings, events and community programming.

Supervisor Shelly Aldean said she was pleased by the SNCAT contract, describing them as "very professional."

But members expressed some concern about special meetings and emergency programming needs in Carson City.

Ritter told the board SNCAT "knows how to handle special needs." She pointed out they are already providing four channels for Reno, Sparks and Washoe County government.

She said the temporary contract gives the city time to make sure it gets the best deal from bidders, including SNCAT, for a permanent contract.

-- Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.