For those complaining there's nothing to watch on cable, Pima County is poised to add to the list of options.
County supervisors Tuesday are being asked to approve a policy for the launch of the county's own channel as part of its stepped-up efforts to improve communication.
Supporters say the channel, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will use existing resources to provide viewers with more information about goings-on in the county. At least one critic on the board remains unconvinced it's necessary and concerned about the possibility of increased cost at a time when the state is shifting more costs to the county and when property revenues are down.
Unlike public access stations, the county channel would not accept programming not sponsored by a Pima County entity.
Jan Lesher, who handles special projects for the county, said the county already has authorization to have a cable channel, made available by local cable providers as part of the county's approval of their operating licenses. Since the ability exists, the county should take advantage of it, she said.
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The channel would televise the weekly board meetings, which are currently carried on the city's Tucson 12 cable channel. When board meetings run into the afternoon, however, the city's channel cuts over to the City Council meetings.
Lesher said it would also be used to provide emergency information, as well as information about services offered by the county, like explaining the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan or providing more detail on the county budget or introducing a series on urban trails.
While the city budget constraints led to substantial cuts in Tucson 12's funding over recent years, Lesher said she doesn't expect the county channel to cost anything extra. Some departments, such as the office of emergency management, already have some programming, so the county will start with what now exists.
As part of an information overhaul, the county is about to relaunch its website to make it more user-friendly. It also has a new, coordinated communications division to provide public information, comprising 10.4 full-time-equivalent positions. The office budget for next fiscal year is about $850,000. Lesher said the salaries were all paid for through attrition or existing department budgets.
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said the strategies are all linked in order to help clarify the wealth of services the county provides - not only for the 360,000 residents in the unincorporated area, but for city residents, who may not understand the county is responsible for regional services from animal control to public health. "People may not know all of the things the county does for them," he said.
Supervisor Ramón Valadez said the channel is important "to tell the story of Pima County."
He envisions using it to feature good news about road improvements or neighborhood improvements. "We've been good at talking about policy changes, but where we haven't been as good is in telling our story. And I think this allows us to take advantage of the resources we have to do that effectively."
But Supervisor Ray Carroll, who calls the channel "Huckelberry and Friends," said he could do without "creating another level of media bureaucracy." Assurances it won't cost anything didn't placate him. "I'm still concerned because staff time doesn't come free, and once we have our system, people are going to want to get creative," he said. "I think it's an expenditure we can probably resist."
Contact reporter Rhonda Bodfield at rbodfield@azstarnet.com or 573-4243.
