Pasadena Media, Which Operates City’s Public Access TV Channels, Proposes $1.1 Million Budget

The Economic Development and Technology Committee heard on Tuesday, May 3, the budget proposal of Pasadena Center Access Corporation, (PCAC) also known as Pasadena Media.

PCAC oversees four local television channels namely KPAS, Arroyo, KLRN and PCCtv. It also operates Pasadena’s community media training center and television studio.

PCAC’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 stands at $1.10 million.

According to Chris Miller, Chief Operating Officer of PCAC, $1.05 million of the funding will be sourced from the general fund, $32,000 will be sourced from production services while $17,000 will be sourced from programs/memberships.

“We’ve been flat when it comes to requests for general funds for the past three years. We were asked to cover any increased cost with our reserved funds,” said Miller.

Bulk of the FY 2023 budget of PCAC will go to personnel costs which amounts to $780,734. $227,924 will be allocated for occupancy and $92,342 will be allocated for services and supplies.

The budget for FY 2023 is slightly higher than FY 2022 budget of $1.077 million.

In the adopted 2022 budget, $761,640 was allocated for personnel costs, $226,711 was allocated for occupancy and $89,349 was allocated for services and supplies.

According to Miller, for FY 2023, PCAC is looking at using the PEG fees it will receive amounting to $190,000, to replace its 18 year-old production vehicle.

In the last five years, the city collected $246,000 in PEG fees. The City retains 20% of the fees collected while PCAC will get the remaining 80% pursuant to state law.

To diversify its funding, PCAC will increase its underwriting and donation efforts, according to Miller.

For 2023, Miller said PCAC will continue providing virtual training and virtual production services, offer in-person training and reintroduce a podcasting studio.

The PCAC will also reassess its coverage of committee and commission meetings and continue to expand its partnership with city departments, Miller said.