Motion on KRRC for Spring Voters’ Assembly

Dear Family of Faith,

Faith Lutheran Council would like to share a motion for consideration by the Voters’ Assembly this upcoming Sunday, April 26th.

The motion and explanation was made into a handout that was placed in your mailbox on April 19. Extra copies are in the Church Narthex.

Please read through the document before the Voters’ Assembly, and bring questions, amendments to the main motion, etc. with you for the consideration of the Voters’ Assembly.

The text is as follows:

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The Matter at Hand

Effective March 27th, Jeff Smith stepped down from the Station Manager of KRRC. The station is currently running on auto-pilot, as far as this is possible.

Faith Lutheran congregation now has an important decision to make. We have put this off for a while, but now we must decide whether to remain operational or to close the station.

At the Summer Voter’s Assembly last year, Pastor Laws brought an update concerning KRRC. At that time, it was stated that we needed an Underwriting Agent to secure funding for the station in order to pay the bills and to compensate Jeff for his time. Since then, there have been no members who offered to take on that responsibility. Surveys taken at that time suggested that while we value the station, much of our membership is outside the broadcast range (3 miles from the tower in Rogue River) and do not stream the station online at www.943thebridge.com.

A decision now needs to be made. If we go another year without fixing our Emergency Alert System, we will lose our broadcasting license in 2030, and we continue to risk a large fine from the FCC. Because the station is not its own non-profit organization, Faith is liable for any fines, debts, etc. incurred by KRRC.

Therefore, Faith Lutheran Church Council, at their meeting on April 12th, 2026, passed the following resolution:

Faith Lutheran Church Council recommends that Faith Lutheran Church Voter’s Assembly close KRRC the Bridge due to lack of personnel and resources to continue operations.

This resolution is now presented for the consideration of Faith Lutheran congregation. The next two pages will detail (1) What continued operations of the station would take and (2) What closing the station would involve.

Please note: Prior to the passing of Kathy Timbs, the financials for KRRC were in the process of being handed off to Bob Hulse and Pastor Laws. The accounting is, therefore, incomplete at this time. That cannot be remedied before our Voter’s Assembly, but we do have a general idea of the expenses and are in the process of getting access to the bank account and statements.

Remaining Operational

For KRRC to continue broadcasting, we need:

1. Funding

Consistent financial support. Annual expenses include:

• Music licenses ($1,087 for 2025)
• Power for Radio Tower (unknown)
• SRN News subscription ($1,200)
• Misc. software and computer subscriptions (unknown)

It costs approximately $2,500-3,000 a year to operate the station. This year’s annual bills have been paid.

2. Personnel & Skills

Volunteers with the time & skillset to manage its operations. Positions include:

Station Manager (Daily commitment, 5-10 hours a week)

• Set up the broadcast schedule each day, oversee programming
• Maintain equipment and arrange for repairs/replacements
• Complete annual compliance tasks and documentation

Underwriting Agent (Quarterly commitment)

• Visit local businesses to secure underwriting sponsorships
• Maintain relationships with community partners

Bookkeeper (Monthly commitment)

• Maintain records, pay bills, and make reimbursements
• Communicate finances to Council, Voter’s, and Underwriter.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Address non-compliance with federal broadcasting regulations by:

• Repairing/updating Emergency Alert System
• Begin submitting required annual EAS reports to the FCC

Closing the Station

To close KRRC, the congregation will need to:

1. Determine the future of our Low Power FM License

We cannot “sell” our LPFM license. We may sell the broadcast equipment and transfer the license to a non-profit. Interested parties may include: RR High School, area Churches, or anyone interested in starting a community station. The licence is for use in our current area. This license is unlikely to be issued by the FCC again.

2. Determine the future of our equipment

After inventorying our equipment, sell/donate broadcasting equipment. Keep recording equipment for recording projects.

3. Determine the future of our radio tower

We will need to decide what to do with our radio tower, located behind the large cross on the hill. It is on an easement. If the license is transferred, the easement will need to be redrawn with Jackson County. If the license lapses, we will need to decide what to do with the tower.

4. Notify the FCC

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will need to be formally notified when we cease broadcasting.

5. Close the Financials

The books will need to be closed for 2026 after completing the above items and cancelling all bills & subscriptions. Then it must decided what to do with remaining funds and to close all financial accounts for KRRC. Faith Lutheran Council suggests giving a gift to Jeff Smith in recognition of his time at the station.

6. Discuss the Legacy of KRRC

Finally, we will give thanks for the work of KRRC and consider what to do to honor and remember the work that went into operating KRRC and the hours of edifying programming and music which was produced and broadcast from our radio station.

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PDF of Handout: 2026-04-19 KRRC Motion & Explanation