At times, it appears the Selma City Council is failing to come to meetings fully prepared or, at the very least, uninterested in doing the homework necessary to make timely, informed decisions.

With the absence of a council secretary, a position the council has delayed filling to help offset the costs of the Ward 3 council seat special election, the council at times, mind you, has appeared disorganized and it is our hope this is simply a temporary condition.

Tuesday, the lack of preparation showed when the council was unable to take a vote on renewing the city’s franchise agreement with Charter Communications. Some on the council asked questions that had been clearly debated and ironed out in committee meetings, while others wanted to read over materials that had been left for them a week ahead of time in an effort to have a vote Tuesday.

But even with all of those reasons for tabling the issue, the fact is a vote should have been held Tuesday because there is no other option for the city than to move forward with this renewal. For one reason, Selma’s market is not attractive enough for other cable companies to come in and compete with Charter. For city officials to daydream about the likelihood of another company coming into town is naïve.

Another reason why the city should vote and approve this contract renewal is the city has gone far too long in not receiving the amount of franchise fees other cities have been paid for years. Currently the city is being paid 3 percent on all Charter gross revenues, while others have been paid 5 percent. This franchise renewal fixes that and would mean an estimated $400,000 for the city over the next three years.

Charter has also agreed to providing the city a government channel and offered approximately $65,000 in capital investment to help the city acquire the equipment to get the channel up and running. And the terms of the renewal are for three years, not the 10, 15 or 20 most cities are agreeing to these days.

At times everyone complains about a cable or satellite company. At times everyone complains about the rates that are charged, the customer service or quality provided.

In the end though, the city should move forward on this vote and agree to renew the contract. It’s an easy decision and one that should have been made Tuesday instead of delaying any longer.