(A) A cable operator shall keep complete and accurate books of accounts and records concerning the business and operations of the cable system.
(B) In addition:
(1) The town shall have the right, on seven days’ written notice, to review at the cable operator’s local office all records pertaining to a cable operator’s cable operations with respect to the town which are necessary to the enforcement of this chapter or an applicable franchise. Any review, unless mutually agreed upon or judicially ordered, should occur within the cable operator’s regular office hours. Payroll information of employees and corporate officers within the company may only be requested in the aggregate on a summary prepared by the cable operator. The town acknowledges the sensitivity of these records, and will request this information only on as needed basis, and will treat this information as confidential and proprietary to the fullest extent allowed by law;
(2) The town shall have the right to hire, at its own expense, an independent certified public accountant, or other business or financial expert, to review the books and records of a cable operator pertaining to revenue information;
(3) A false entry in the books and/or records of a cable operator of a material and substantial fact shall constitute a material violation of this chapter. Erroneous entries shall not constitute a material violation if made in good faith; and
(4) If after a review or audit of a cable operator’s records, it is discovered that the cable operator has underpaid the town by an amount that exceeds 3% of the total amount paid for any reporting quarter, then the town may require the cable operator to reimburse the town for the actual cost of the audit, in addition to the amount of underpayment.
(Prior Code, § 13.20.130) (Ord. 96-13.20, passed - -1996)