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Columbia Access Television copes with less funding

Columbia Access Television is a community organization highlighting local citizen’s voices. Now, the non-profit may have to do it with less money.

The group has struggled with budget problems in recent years as the city turns to them to make cuts. This year was no different as the most recent city budget proposal doesn’t grant the organization any more funding. At one point, Columbia Access Television (CAT) received $200,000 per year from the city. That was cut to $100,000 four years ago and now CAT receives just $35,000 a year.

Last week, the city council voted down Fourth Ward Council member Ian Thomas’ amendment to the 2019 fiscal budget which would have given an additional $30,000 to CAT.

Sean Brown, managing director of CAT and its only full-time employee, said the organization is limited in the services that it provides already. CAT would be forced to find other ways to generate revenue if the council does not restore funding.

“We definitely believe that raising our membership rates and our class costs would be one of the major results that would come from reduced funding from the city,” said Brown.

Brown said that he’s supportive of the council and hopeful that enough of them will see the benefit of CAT’s services and allocate funding back to the non-profit.

Jaret is a senior Science and Agricultural Journalism major. He’s a native of Birch Tree, MO.