The Frankfort Plant Board (FPB) News and Updates page provides customers detailed information on all pertinent happenings regarding FPB including, boil water advisories, network negotiations, outage reports and more.
All applicants must apply online from our Employment page or at the Office of Employment and Training. The Office of Employment and Training has a resource center with computers for those applicants who do not have access to a computer.
The boil water advisory issued for the following areas has now been canceled
• W Broadway St from Washington St to 525 W Broadway St
• Wilkinson St from W Main St to W Broadway St
• Wilkinson Blvd from W Broadway St to Clinton St
• Long Ln
• W Main St from Wilkinson St to Sutterlin Ln
• Sutterlin Ln
Immediately following there will be a Boil Water Advisory.
A vigorous boil for at least two minutes is recommended. This Boil Water Advisory is a precautionary measure due to a loss of pressure in the water main caused by Plant Board crews installing new valves.
This Advisory will remain in effect until lab analysis of water samples taken confirms that the potable water supply in the affected area is safe to drink. You will receive a notice when the advisory is lifted.
If you have any questions concerning the Boil Water Advisory, please call 352-4372 or 352-4433
“Viacom demanded a rate increase that’s 40 times the rate of inflation”
While FPB is restricted from talking about specific rates, Viacom demanded a rate increase that’s 40 times the rate of inflation*. Imagine pulling up to the gas pump and finding that gas has gone from $3.50 a gallon to $6.00 – overnight. That’s the scale of some of these large increases. In addition, Viacom may demand we drop their networks if we don’t agree to their proposal.
FPB is a municipal utility in Frankfort, offering cable programming, phone and broadband services throughout Frankfort & Franklin County while employing more than 200 people.
Cable Superintendent John Higginbotham said “ we have created a new web site, TVOnMySide.com to educate our customers on rising programming costs. Across the country, networks are substantially increasing their fees to cable companies, which affect customers directly”
“Viacom owns popular networks such as MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. But in order to offer these, the cable networks require us to carry networks that are not as well-known, networks such as MTV2, MTV Hits and VH1 Classic. And network fees account for the bulk of monthly cable bills.” explained Higginbotham.
Today's entertainment marketplace is changing rapidly, and there has been considerable consolidation among major media companies. These mergers allow large programming companies significant leverage over independent cable companies such as FPB.
Higginbotham added “Our goal is to protect our customers from significant programming fee increases. We pay programmers such as Viacom a fee per channel per month per customer for their programming. When these contracts conclude, we negotiate new agreements and that concludes that business deal. But when a multibillion dollar company such as Viacom demands an unprecedented increase in its monthly fees, we believe it’s our responsibility to take a stand” Higginbotham concluded “These large increases impact all of us throughout Frankfort and we want to make sure our customers know we are working on their behalf.”
FPB urges customers to get the facts and stay informed by visiting TVOnMySide.com.
* Source: 12-month period from January 2013 to January 2014, Bureau of Labor Statistics, released February 20, 2014.
The Internet interruption issue was resolved at around 12:45p earlier today. More information concerning the details of this issue will be posted as they become available. We apologize for the inconvenience and once again appreciate your patience and understanding.
FPB is currently experiencing a system wide internet issue with one of our upstream providers. All parties are aware of the issue and working on a resolution. More information will follow when available.
All applicants must apply online at from our employment page here or at the Office of Employment and Training. The Office of Employment and Training has a resource center with computers for applicants that do not have access to a computer.
FPB also has a job opening for Meter Reader where the successful candidate will be responsible for reading electric and water meters, including connecting and disconnecting meters.
FPB lost a family member this week with the passing of Debra Miles.
Funeral services for Debra will be held Saturday, March 8 at the First Baptist Church, 100 Clinton Street, in Frankfort. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and with the funeral service will beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Debra was a valued employee of the Frankfort Plant Board for nearly 30 years. FPB is saddened by her passing and wishes to extend our heartfelt condolences to Debra’s family and many friends.
She will be truly missed and will be forever a member of the FPB family.
Condolences, cards and flowers for the family may be delivered to the church or electronically sent to the church at fbcfrankfort1833@yahoo.com.
FPB recently received some information about a possible computer/phone scam. A few FPB customers have received phone calls from someone posing as a Frankfort Plant Board Computer Technician. This person told customers that they were having a problem with their PC and then the caller attempted to get information from the customer.
“Although we are working to negotiate a fair price for these networks, Viacom has the right to require us to remove them from your lineup on 4/1/14 until a new agreement is secured.”
We are currently in talks with Viacom, the owner of cable networks such as Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, TV Land, BET and many others. Viacom is seeking a large increase in the fees they charge for these networks and we are working to substantially reduce that increase. Significant network fee increases directly impact your bill and rest assured – we’re on your side to keep these fees low.
Although we are working to negotiate a fair price for these networks, Viacom has the right to require us to remove them from your lineup on 4/1/14 until a new agreement is secured. We will offer to continue payment and carriage of these networks past March 31 until we reach a new agreement, but Viacom may refuse that offer.
As your local municipal utility, we sincerely appreciate your loyalty as we strive to deliver the best value for you.
Why would Viacom ask for such a large increase?
We negotiate agreements to carry networks in exchange for a monthly fee per customer. We are on your side and try to strike the best deal so it has less impact on your monthly bill. Viacom feels their networks have been underpriced and are seeking much higher rates each month, despite the fact that their most popular networks saw ratings declines through much of 2013. We are currently working with Viacom and are optimistic about reaching an agreement.
Why don’t you pay Viacom whatever they want so I don’t lose their networks?
We are committed to keeping the Viacom networks on your line-up and are actively working toward an agreement that does not burden our customers with excessive price increases. With the hundreds of channels we offer our customers, imagine the impact to your monthly bill if we just agreed to pay networks whatever they asked.
Which networks could be affected?
FPB carries the following Viacom networks on Classic Cable: Comedy Central (Channel 55 SD/555 HD), Spike (56/556), TV Land (63), Nickelodeon (69/569), CMT (89/589), BET (90/590), MTV (91/591), VH1 (92/592). On Preferred Cable: Nick Jr. (131), Teennick (132), Nicktoons (134), Centric (170), MTV2 (171), MTV Hits (172), VH1Classic (173), VH1 Soul (174), CMT Pure Country (175). On HD Plus: Palladia (774).
Where can I learn more about the status of these negotiations?
Visit www.tvonmyside.com
If we lose these networks, will I get a refund on my bill?
FPB is hopeful a deal will be worked out and the networks will remain part of our lineup, but if Viacom is unwilling to agree to reasonable rates, FPB will look at all of our options. Those options will include the possibility of adding other, comparable networks and/or reimbursement to customers. While no plans or details have been finalized, FPB will look at every option to ensure customer satisfaction.
