Specifications include, but are not limited to: 2.3Provide a range of estimates of the projected decline in revenues from cable franchise fees: using existing studies, the vendor will produce a 5-10 year projection of declines in revenues from Vermont cable franchise vendors.2.4Review the budgets of entities that provide PEG services, including salaries, operations, and equipment, and other substantial categories of outlays and expenditures. The purpose of this review is to highlight any category of expense that is available for possible cost efficiencies. ACCD will provide the vendor the budget informationand the vendor will analyze alternative sources of revenue, including fees levied against voice and broadband providers. These options shall include the use of connection charges, the telephone personal property tax and Right-of-Way fees, as well as any other alternatives the vendor wishes to present. The basis of this analysis shall include the use of these alternatives in other jurisdictions outside of Vermont and the literature that explores their potential.2.5Set forth and analyze ways to contain costs without losing effectiveness, including encouraging or requiring entities that provide PEG services to consolidate administrative functions or share resources and exploring partnership opportunities with other public entities, such as schools. The starting point for this section shall be the results of the budget review described in Section 2.2. 2.6Review PEG television channel business models from other states. The starting point for this section is to use review work that has already been published. Follow up discussions with PEG providers in other states is expected.2.7Provide recommendations concerning how to ensure the future financial stability and viability of Vermont PEG television channels. This concluding section should be based on the results of the review of funding models and possible cost efficiencies identified in sections 2.1 – 2.5.
