Comcast to pay Milton $34K to settle franchise fee dispute

The Milton City Council has approved a settlement agreement with Comcast Cable Communications LLC over a nearly $35,000 alleged shortfall in franchise fees owed by the cable TV provider. AJC FILE

The Milton City Council has approved a settlement agreement with Comcast Cable Communications LLC over a nearly $35,000 alleged shortfall in franchise fees owed by the cable TV provider. AJC FILE

Comcast Cable Communications LLC will pay Milton nearly $35,000 in disputed franchise fees under a settlement agreement recently approved by the Milton City Council.

The city alleged the shortfall after having Local Government Services, a third-party vendor of the Georgia Municipal Association, perform a compliance review, according to a report to the council by Assistant City Manager Stacey Inglis. Comcast is obligated to pay the city 5 percent of its gross revenues as a franchise fee.

“LGS’ audit confirmed that Comcast failed to include the new revenue items (late fees, advertising and home shopping services) in their gross revenue calculations, resulting in an underpayment of $34,896.40,” Inglis said.

The payment is for the period Oct. 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019, according to the settlement agreement. Among other things, the document says it is not an admission of liability on the part of any party, and Comcast reserves the right to pass through to its customers any sums of the payment not already collected as franchise fees.