A Resolution Approving the Merger Plan of the Miami
Valley Communications Council.
A copy of the resolution, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.
Mr. Stephens explained that this is a resolution to approve a merger between the Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC) and the Miami Valley Educational Computer Association (MVECA).
MVCC was established as a Council of Governments in 1975. Its primary purpose was to administer the cable television franchises granted by the cities of Centerville, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood and West Carrollton. Over the years its mission has expanded to include the establishment and operation of several municipal management and advisory groups, including GOV-TECH, the Tactical Crime Suppression Unit (TCSU), the Municipal Training Academy, and the Alliance of Public Service Officials, as well as operating shared resources such as an intergovernmental fiber-optic communications ring and various technological resources for its member and affiliate communities.
Despite its expanded scope of operation, MVCC’s funding model has remained largely unchanged and consists mainly of cable television franchise fees. However, consumer viewing habits and technologies have changed during the past 10+ years, resulting in an ongoing drop in franchise fees as a source of funding.
Nevertheless, MVCC employee expenses and service costs have continued to increase, despite significantly downsizing its full-time and part-time staff. Given current trends, it is estimated that by 2028, MVCC will have exhausted its balances under the current funding model.
Late last year, MVCC undertook a Strategic Plan initiative and met with stakeholders to identify goals and priorities for ensuring organizational sustainability. It was determined that MVCC should engage in merger discussions with another local Council of Governments, MVECA, which offers similar and related services to school districts.
After lengthy discussions, MVCC and MVECA have settled on terms for an organizational merger that will align the goals of the two organizations, allow for greater volume and scale on projects and purchases, and create a new organization that can improve affordability, reliability, and security of networks and technology implementation while simultaneously expanding growth potential to education and government organizations seeking enhanced communication capabilities and services. The terms of the merger have been reviewed and approved by the GOV-TECH Committee and MVCC’s Board and now await approval by member communities.
Under the merger plan, MVECA and MVCC will continue to operate in the same capacity, and within the same geographic area currently covered by both entities, with the ability to serve all current members and affiliates of both organizations. They will merge into a newly created Council of Governments to be known as Miami Valley Technology and Communication Group (MVTCG).
Council has been briefed on the merger plan and believes it is in the best long-term interest of both MVCC and MVCC’s member communities.
Thereupon, it was moved by Mr. Stephens and seconded by Vice Mayor Byington that the resolution be passed.
Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:
There being five (5) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said resolution was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.