As one of only two Georgia municipalities that still charges a 4 percent franchise fee to cable television providers, Peachtree City voted 5-0 on May 17 to increase the rate to 5 percent as of Oct. 1.
The change is expected to generate an additional $124,000 in revenue per year. The fee, to compensate for the utility’s use of the public right-of-way, is paid to the city quarterly based on the gross revenues the cable company received in the previous quarter. The City Council first discussed the change on May 3, noting that revenues from cable franchise fees are declining as more customers switch to broadband services. Five percent is the maximum franchise fee permitted by law.
The city must now submit the ordinance change to the Georgia Secretary of State.
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