Updated Tuesday, 3:28 p.m.
A bill that would limit the ability of cities and towns to go into the cable and telecommunications business passed the N.C. House of Representatives Monday night, and now heads to the Senate. The bill exempts existing municipal systems, including MI-Connection Communications System owned by the towns of Davidson and Mooresville, but restricts the systems’ boundaries. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

MOORESVILLE - Cable companies including Time Warner are backing a bill in the state legislature that would make it more difficult for cities and towns to operate telecommunications systems like MI-Connection, which is owned by the towns of Davidson and Mooresville. As the bill advances, MI-Connection’s lobbyist is trying to fend off the restrictions.

Also Friday, MI-Connection’s chief acknowledged that revenues are below projections for fiscal 2011, though expenses also will come in lower than budgeted. See below.

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Download a copy of the March 4, 2011, MI-Connection letter to the LGC below.

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The Mooresville- and Davidson-owned MI-Connection Communications System will continue to need big cash infusions from the two towns over the next several years to cover payments on its massive debt, the system’s board acknowledged in a letter to state officials last week.

In new financial projections that the system describes as “conservative,” the board says it will need a total of nearly $17 million from the towns in fiscal 2011, 2012 and 2013. That includes an already-budgeted $6.46 million this year and new estimates of $5.89 million next year, and $4.51 million in two years. Read the full story

The towns of Davidson and Mooresville are seeking applicants to serve on the board of directors of the MI-Connection, the cable TV, internet and telephone system they jointly own.  The recruiting coincides with board changes taking effect in April. Read the full story

Davidson’s Town Board on Tuesday approved a revised interlocal agreement governing the MI-Connection Communications System and then appointed two commissioners – Tim Dreffer and Laurie Venzon – to a new nominating committee that will select members of the system’s board.

Commissioners also approved a new $40 annual “business license fee” and continued a public hearing on proposed zoning changes that would affect development at the site of the failed Davidson East project off N.C. 73. Read the full story

Letter responding to state officials’ concerns will include projections of town subsidies for at least two more years; treasurer calls 2011 ‘high water mark.’

Updated Thursday, March 3, 2011, 5:16 p.m.
Directors of the MI-Connection Communications System on Wednesday approved hiring a consultant to oversee the system’s transition from its third-party manager to a new company managed by the board. Meanwhile, in a telephone meeting, the board also discussed a draft letter to be sent later this week to the state Local Government Commission in response to the LGC’s concerns over the system’s finances. Read the full story

MI-Connection Communications System will hold a special telephone board meeting Wednesday, March 2, at 10 a.m. to review and approve a response letter to the state Local Government Commission about its financial situation.

The meeting will be via teleconference and at the system headquarters, 420 S. Academy St., Mooresville.

RELATED STORY

Feb. 24, 2011, “State officials repeat concerns about MI-Connection finances.”

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

MOORESVILLE – For a second straight year, the financially troubled MI-Connection Communications System has received a warning letter from state officials concerned about its financial condition and outlook. The Feb. 4 letter became public Thursday when it came up at a board meeting of the system, which is owned by the towns of Mooresville and Davidson. Read the full story