Tired of leasing, Oxford Community Television (OCTV) is in the market for some new digs, but it wants to be prudent about how it utilizes its nest egg.
‘We’re trying, as a commission, to find a more permanent home for the station,? said Ed Hunwick, chairman of the Oxford Area Cable Communications Commission, which oversees OCTV.
‘Right now, we’ve got a couple of options on the table we’re pursuing. We just need to do it smart. We can’t spend money foolishly.?
Last week, Hunwick addressed the Oxford Township Board about OCTV’s $383,500 fund balance (or reserves) and plans to dip into it for a new station location.
‘Over the last few months, there’s been some comments made in my direction about the significant fund balance that we currently carry,? Hunwick said.
In light of the fact that Oxford Township is the ‘biggest contributor? to OCTV, he felt it necessary to keep the board in the loop so as to avoid any misunderstandings.
‘We don’t want you to cut our funding because you think we’re just hoarding cash,? Hunwick said. ‘We’re not. We do have a plan.?
Currently, OCTV spends $24,000 annually renting space at 1775 N. Lapeer Rd. That lease expires in February 2019 and Hunwick said the cable commission’s goal is to have the station relocated by then.
The cable commission has ‘looked at a lot of options,? he said, but so far, nothing’s been viable.
Purchasing the former Huntoon Funeral Home, located at 47 N. Washington St., was considered, but Hunwick said the asking price far exceeded the cable commission’s budget.
Constructing a new station from the ground up was also investigated.
‘Even though we have a fair amount of money in our fund (balance), it’s insufficient to build something brand new, unless we want to take out a mortgage,? Hunwick said.
However, members of the cable commission felt the idea of a mortgage ‘would not go over very well? with the respective municipalities they represent.
‘It doesn’t look to be feasible to do that at this point in time,? Hunwick said.
The cable commission consists of five members. Addison Township, along with the villages of Oxford and Leonard, each have one representative, while Oxford Township has two.
Oxford Township Trustee Buck Cryderman pointed out a mortgage could still be necessary in order to purchase an existing building.
Hunwick agreed, but noted, ‘If we have to borrow any kind of funds, before I would pursue that, I would come to each governing board (from) each community that supports us and get their blessing first.?
‘I was told (the cable commission has) the authority to (borrow money) on our own, (but) I would not even do that unless I got your blessing,? he said.
If OCTV ever ceased to exist for some reason, the four municipalities would ultimately be responsible for covering any debts the station incurred.
Given this, Hunwick told the township board, ‘I wouldn’t put you in that situation (of having debt) unless you guys we’re in favor of doing it.?
‘If we do have to finance something, I would come back to the boards and ask (for) their approval to do that,? he reiterated. ‘I don’t want to do that without your approval.?
Trustee Sue Bellairs asked whether the cable commission had considered building a new station on the property the township owns along Dunlap Rd., just north of Seymour Lake Rd.
‘We have six acres (available) right here,? noted Supervisor Bill Dunn. ‘It’s right next door (to the township hall).?
But Hunwick expressed concerns the site might be too far away.
‘We feel it’s very crucial for us to be close to the high school,? he said.
He explained the school district’s new administration is ‘eager to work with us? as far as providing vocational programs for students interested in pursuing careers in broadcasting and journalism.
In light of this, OCTV management would like the station to be close enough so students don’t have to drive ‘more than a few minutes.?
Being more involved with the school district will help make OCTV ‘more relevant to the community,? according to Hunwick.
‘If you’re a parent and your kid’s on TV, you’re going to watch them,? he said. ‘I think if we can get more kids involved with the TV station, it just increases our viewership.?
As for those other location options that he mentioned the cable commission is exploring, Hunwick explained the board asked him ‘not to put that (information) out there yet.?
‘They’re afraid that it might cause somebody to inflate prices (on their) property,? he explained.
Referring to the township board’s input and suggestions, Dunn told Hunwick, ‘These are all things for you to think about.?
‘You guys have your own commission,? he said. ‘Work it out, come back and talk to us.?