Two of Albert Lea’s cultural organizations sent representatives to Monday’s public hearing on the 2002 budget to ask for more money to help with rising operating expenses.

Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Two of Albert Lea’s cultural organizations sent representatives to Monday’s public hearing on the 2002 budget to ask for more money to help with rising operating expenses.

Both the Freeborn County Historical Museum and the Albert Lea Art Center face increasing utility bills, payroll and maintenance costs, while the city’s appropriation to them has remained the same for several years.

According to Bev Jackson, the museum’s executive director, the city has appropriated the same $6,500 amount for 10 years, and the museum continues to operate at a deficit.

&uot;Our costs have increased considerably, like everyone’s,&uot; Jackson said, adding that she would like to give her staff small pay increases.

Jackson asked the council for $6,500 in additional funding for a total budget appropriation of $10,000. While the museum’s fundraising energy has been focused on paying for a $39,000 smoke detection and security system, Jackson was forced to cash a $5,000 CD last week to pay for operating expenses for the rest of the year.

&uot;The public is very generous to us, but their gifts come without additional support money,&uot; she said. &uot;Families decide to donate a gift to us, believing that we’ll take care of it, respect it and preserve it for the public to see.&uot;

Randy Kerr, representing the board of directors of the Albert Lea Art Center, explained the center’s plans to install a new high-efficiency gas furnace to help with this winter’s energy costs.

&uot;The art center operates on a shoestring. We have no money for extravagant expenses like last winter,&uot; Kerr said.

The center’s staff searches for programming funds from grant sources, Kerr said, but looks to the city for help with operating money. The city’s appropriation has fallen steadily from more than $11,000 in 1993 to only $2,500 the last several years, he said.

Kerr asked the council to consider appropriating an additional $6,500 for a total of $9,000.

The council will continue to hear public input while it examines the proposed 2002 budget. The council will finalize the budget in October.