A city ad hoc committee Wednesday night agreed that it would be “appropriate” to explore allowing a second cable television franchise to serve Elgin residents and voted 5-0 to recommend the City Council consider the matter.
The council is expected to vote on the issue Jan. 8. City officials held the required public hearing to determine whether there was a need for a second franchise.
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The committee also determined that a second franchise’s additional cables would not disrupt existing utility rights of way.
Ameritech New Media Enterprises, a subsidiary of Ameritech, has expressed interest and is negotiating with city officials to operate the second cable TV franchise. If the project is approved, New Media would compete with the existing company now serving the community, Jones Intercable.
Eric Stuckey, Elgin’s building director and public information officer, said there have not been significant complaints about existing cable services.
He said that city officials thought allowing a second franchise into town would be a good idea because it could create competition.