VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP

Value of City Membership

The JCLCCC provides its members with high quality representation and value in the fields of cable television and communications services.

Established in 1994, by the Jefferson County League of Cities Organization, in order to fill the need of suburban cities in addressing the highly specialized and changing field of cable television services which was impacting small city government and their constituents. In 2025, the JCLCCC celebrated over 30 years of providing telecommunication services to member cities.

The goal of the JCLCCC is to protect the members’ interests wherever necessary: in negotiations with Charter/Spectrum Communications or other cable television services carrier; before the Federal Communications Commission; or before Federal or State courts. The JCLCCC closely monitors the rapid changes in Federal and State law relating to cable television services, transfers of control, and rights-of-way issues. The JCLCCC constantly updates members on FCC and Kentucky changes in cable and telecommunications law which will affect them.

The Executive Board of the JCLCCC consists of a strong cadre of individuals with extensive backgrounds and experience in city government and operations. The Honorable Jim Hodge, acting Chairman, represents 4th Class Cites and has worked with numerous cities for many years; Mayor Brenda Moore, City of West Buechel represents 5th Class Cities; Retired Mayor Richard Dearing City of Hickory Hill represents 6th Class Cities; Renee Major, Treasurer of JCLCCC is also the City Administrative Officer of the City of Anchorage and Accountant; Additionally, the JCLCCC has recently retained Jonathan Ricketts, as its General Legal Counsel. After a distinguished Naval Career, he has over 17 years of experience providing legal services to Kentucky Suburban Cities, Fire Districts, and Homeowner Associations.

How we have helped Member Cities

The JCLCCC worked with the Kentucky League of Cities on litigation which ultimately gave back to Kentucky Cities the right to collect franchise fees on cable and telecommunication services. During this process the JCLCCC made numerous contacts with Kentucky Legislative Members to illuminate the revenue shortfall issue with the excise tax law and financial impact on the suburban cities.

So that each JCLCCC Member City can make a more informed decision as to whether it would be best served by staying in the Commonwealth’s excise tax distribution system or assessing franchise fees direct from the services provider, the JCLCCC has requested that Charter/Spectrum Communications provide actual gross revenue data. The JCLCCC has subsequently performed a financial analysis for each member city.

The JCLCCC helped its members certify for the Kentucky Telecommunications Excise Tax Distribution in 2006. We have come to learn that there are non-JCLCCC cities in Jefferson County that never certified. These non-member cities have lost thousands of dollars in revenue. As a service to new members who have not yet certified to receive the Telecommunications Excise Tax Distribution, the JCLCCC will help new members become eligible for the Telecommunications Excise Tax Distribution.

Since its inception, the JCLCCC has historically negotiated lower cable television subscriber rates for member cities in accordance with FCC guidelines. This has resulted in significant savings for service subscribers over the years.

The JCLCCC has reviewed multiple transfers of control including the Time Warner/Comcast merger to assure it did not negatively impact member cities.

The JCLCCC has recently developed a state-of–the-art Standard Right of Way Usage and Franchise Agreement for the sole use of its members and completed negotiations with Lumos Fiber of KY,LLC. and previously with Charter/Spectrum Communications. Member cities are currently implementing these new requirements for the benefit of their residents and utilizing the franchise agreement drafted and negotiated by Commission Attorney Jonathan Ricketts.

The JCLCCC represents member cities not only in franchise negotiations with Lumos Fiber of KY and Spectrum/Charter but also in franchise negotiations with other communication companies, such as Verizon/MCIMetro.

Fee Schedule and Membership

During the first year of membership the fee is 20% of the amount which your City receives from its Telecommunications Excise Tax or Franchise Fee Distribution. After the first year, the fee drops to 15% of the amount which your City receives from this Distribution. Since subscribers actually pay the excise tax or franchise fee on their billing, this is an opportunity for suburban city governments to use a small portion of the total telecommunications excise tax or franchise fee revenue receipts to provide a direct benefit to their city residents/constituents without utilizing any ad valorem tax funding. Moreover, with an annual dues rate equating to only a couple dollars per city household it provides an exceptional value.

The JCLCCC is the only local agency that provides suburban cities with a watchdog role over the activities of cable and telecommunications providers. The JCLCCC does not solicit or accept funding from any communications services provider in assuring our ability to negotiate and secure the best possible service offerings for our member cities.
Membership in the JCLCCC provides the opportunity for suburban cities to pool their limited resources to address the complicated telecommunications issues that have an impact on city government and residents. Moreover, the JCLCCC works closely in conjunction with member city leadership to achieve the fundamental objectives of providing access to highly qualified law experience while preserving the final review/approval authority of the suburban city attorney.

For more information about the Jefferson County League of Cities Cable Commission visit our web site www.jclccc.com or email us at hodgejgsr@gmail.com.