(A) The county finds that the development of cable television and communications systems has the potential of having great benefit and impact upon the people of the county. Because of the complex and rapidly changing technology associated with cable television, the county further finds that the public convenience, safety, and general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers which should be vested in the county or such persons as the county shall designate. It is the intent of this chapter and subsequent amendments to provide for and specify the means to attain the best possible public interest and public purpose in these matters, and any franchise issued pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed to include this finding as an integral part thereof.
(B) Further, it is recognized that cable communications systems have the capacity to provide not only entertainment and information services to the county's residents but can provide a variety of broadband, interactive communications services to institutions and individuals. Many of these services involve county agencies and other public institutions by providing governmental, educational, or health care communications.
(C) For these purposes, the following goals underlie the regulations contained herein:
(1) Communications services should be provided to the maximum number of county residents.
(2) The system should be capable of accommodating both the present and reasonably foreseeable future communications needs of the county.
(3) The system should be improved and upgraded during the franchise term so that the new facilities necessary for the operation of this system shall be integrated to the maximum extent possible with existing facilities.
(4) The communications system authorized by this chapter shall be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community and shall provide the widest possible diversity of information sources and services to the public.
(5) Each of the goals enumerated in divisions (C)(1) through (4) above shall be sought taking into account the costs and benefits to the residents of the county.
(Ord. passed 12-2-96)