7/14/1982 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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rp- J UL 14 1982 ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS SACK 50 Pr;GF 513 A review of the financial reports and minutes of the previous hearings reveal that there is no problem with the financial justification for the increase in rates; the problem was in complaints of poor service in specific areas in which customers felt like they did not get their moneys worth because of poor picture quality. John Lisle of the Utilities Division conferred with Ken Vickers, Manager of the Sebastian/Palm Bay office of Jones Intercable, Inc. to learn the specific complaints and parties who had problems. After a due period of time for Jones to make repairs, John polled the parties who had the problems. The answers concluded that the customers had been responded to and there was a concensus of distinct improvement in picture quality. The exceptions were "acts of God" in which lightening damaged some of the antenna and/or electronic components. For those occasions, service was restored as expediently as possible. As an example, on July 7, 1982 when lightening had knocked out several channels, there were repairs being made to the antenna before the storm had passed. If not above and beyond the normal call of duty, it was certainly a demonstration of the effort and lengths being undertaken to maintain good service. There were two letters from customers who previously had complaints who commented on improved service. These are shown in Attachment C. A copy of Ordinance 82-7 as approved was forwarded to Jones Intercable, Inc. so that they will have first hand information of the County requirements. A letter questionnaire was sent to Jones with written responses are shown yin Attachment D. This information covers the questions raised at the previous public hearings. I Information available to staff proscribes the recommendation to approve the raise in rates as requested and approve the license as presented. Kevin McLaughlin, Regional Manager of Jones Intercable, Inc., reviewed the requested rate increase and noted that the last increase in monthly rates on this system was secured in December of 1979 by Indian River Cablevision. Mr. McLaughlin passed out the following information showing increases in the Consumer Price Index, emphasizing that the accumulative percentage increase for the items shown on page 3 is 56%. 0