Funding for Increased Opera House Executive Director Salary Approved

During the November 5th Junction City Commission meeting the City Manager, Gerald Smith outlined his plan for hiring a new Executive Director for the C.L. Hoover Opera House.

Effective December 31, Mary Louise Stahl will be resigning as the Executive Director of the C.L. Hoover Opera House.

Part of Smith’s plan is to increase the salary for the position from $55,000 to between $65,000 and $75,000 in hopes of attracting an seasoned Executive Director. With the addition of benefits to the salary the total cost is estimated at $100,000 dollars. Cheryl Beatty, Finance Director and Assistant City Manager was asked to find that amount in the budget.

Tuesday night Beatty presented a funding option to the Commission. Beatty said that un-allocated funds in the Capital Improvement fund,”future funds that are not designated for a specific purpose,” could be used.

She explained that claw back funds from economic development grants get deposited into the capital improvement fund because it is not specified what account they are to be deposited in. With the current balance in that fund, plus projected claw back revenue for 2014 and 2015, the balance would be over $1.5 million. After subtracting the estimated amount of a municipal court project, the fund would still have a balance of over $300,000; more than what is needed for the salary funding.

Commissioner Jim Sands was apposed of that funding source,”I’m not going to spend any additional tax money anywhere until I fully understand and see every penny and every dollar for where its allocated for. I just cannot do that right now.”

Sands said that he could look at adding some money to the current opera house budget for a salary increase but not $100,000 dollars.

The Commission eventually passed the proposed funds by a 3-1 vote, with Sands opposed. Commissioner Pat Landes was absent from the meeting.

The City will be turning over the operation of the Opera House to a 501-C3 non-profit organization in August of next year. It is Smith’s hope to have a sustainable business model in place by that time.