Budget cuts could cost security post at art center
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, February 29, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- Last year city lawmakers earmarked money to allow the Sioux City Art Center to hire a part-time security guard to monitor its exhibitions and galleries. Under the flat-tax budget under discussion for next year, the council would take that money away.
Director Al Harris-Fernandez told the council Thursday night he would have to cut that position in order to save $20,800, plus close the building 14 hours a week that it is now open to the public. That closure would save $10,970.
The administration has proposed the art center cut $5,773 vs. the flat-tax option that would require another $31,700 in cuts.
Last year representatives of the Art Center Trustees and Association lobbied the council to pay for a full-time security guard to protect the exhibits, particularly the out-of-town ones that bring in expensive exhibits and priceless art. The council funded a part-time guard, who was hired last September.
Many of the larger, so-called "Blockbuster" exhibitions require the city to provide security in galleries. On occasion, the art center has hired private security firms, but cannot afford to do that for all major exhibitions.
The art center faced losing accreditation from the American Association of Museums without adding personnel to monitor the security cameras and handle collections. Last year, the art center won that certification by agreeing to lobby for that security job.
"Without this person, we won't have a person able to go from gallery to gallery. We're free to the public. Someone could cause some damage," Harris-Fernandez said. "This will have a severe impact on the art center by reducing security in our galleries and cause a 33 percent reduction in our hours. I think the art center has proven itself," he stated.
During ArtSplash held over last Labor Day weekend, he said out-of-town artists rented 84 hotel rooms, ate meals in Sioux City restaurants and spent money at area stores.
"This brought 25,000 to 30,000 people downtown," he said of the weekend event.
He pointed out that half of the center's budget comes from the association, which raises private donations and holds fundraisers. The other half of the proposed 2009 budget of $690,017 would come from city taxpayers through the General Fund.
"There's still a perception that the art center relies entirely on the city for its operations," he said. "It's a heck of a bargain."
He called the art center "one of Sioux City's jewels," which is one of the places shown off to prospective business and physician prospects.
Councilman Jim Rixner said, "We struggled with you to create this security position. It is foolishness on our part to take this away."
At its budget discussion Saturday, the council asked the finance department to draft a comprehensive line-item list of what would be cut under the flat-tax budget option.
Under the administration's proposed budget, the city's portion of residential property taxes for 2009 would remain the same as this year's. However, commercial and industrial property taxes would go up. Council members acknowledged that the state legislature needs to address property tax relief.
"What is important to note is that commercial and industrial taxes have gone up the last 11 years," Councilman Aaron Rochester said. "I don't think any one of us wants to make this a second-class city. If at the end of the day we raise the levy, at least this councilman won't endorse it."
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "I really want to see a flat tax. ... You only have to count the number of employees running these departments to see it's pretty lean now. ... This is probably the tightest (budget) we've ever seen."
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynn.zerschling@lee.net
Director Al Harris-Fernandez told the council Thursday night he would have to cut that position in order to save $20,800, plus close the building 14 hours a week that it is now open to the public. That closure would save $10,970.
The administration has proposed the art center cut $5,773 vs. the flat-tax option that would require another $31,700 in cuts.
Last year representatives of the Art Center Trustees and Association lobbied the council to pay for a full-time security guard to protect the exhibits, particularly the out-of-town ones that bring in expensive exhibits and priceless art. The council funded a part-time guard, who was hired last September.
Many of the larger, so-called "Blockbuster" exhibitions require the city to provide security in galleries. On occasion, the art center has hired private security firms, but cannot afford to do that for all major exhibitions.
The art center faced losing accreditation from the American Association of Museums without adding personnel to monitor the security cameras and handle collections. Last year, the art center won that certification by agreeing to lobby for that security job.
"Without this person, we won't have a person able to go from gallery to gallery. We're free to the public. Someone could cause some damage," Harris-Fernandez said. "This will have a severe impact on the art center by reducing security in our galleries and cause a 33 percent reduction in our hours. I think the art center has proven itself," he stated.
During ArtSplash held over last Labor Day weekend, he said out-of-town artists rented 84 hotel rooms, ate meals in Sioux City restaurants and spent money at area stores.
"This brought 25,000 to 30,000 people downtown," he said of the weekend event.
He pointed out that half of the center's budget comes from the association, which raises private donations and holds fundraisers. The other half of the proposed 2009 budget of $690,017 would come from city taxpayers through the General Fund.
"There's still a perception that the art center relies entirely on the city for its operations," he said. "It's a heck of a bargain."
He called the art center "one of Sioux City's jewels," which is one of the places shown off to prospective business and physician prospects.
Councilman Jim Rixner said, "We struggled with you to create this security position. It is foolishness on our part to take this away."
At its budget discussion Saturday, the council asked the finance department to draft a comprehensive line-item list of what would be cut under the flat-tax budget option.
Under the administration's proposed budget, the city's portion of residential property taxes for 2009 would remain the same as this year's. However, commercial and industrial property taxes would go up. Council members acknowledged that the state legislature needs to address property tax relief.
"What is important to note is that commercial and industrial taxes have gone up the last 11 years," Councilman Aaron Rochester said. "I don't think any one of us wants to make this a second-class city. If at the end of the day we raise the levy, at least this councilman won't endorse it."
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "I really want to see a flat tax. ... You only have to count the number of employees running these departments to see it's pretty lean now. ... This is probably the tightest (budget) we've ever seen."
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynn.zerschling@lee.net
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tax pay wrote on Feb 29, 2008 10:17 PM:
Inspector wrote on Feb 29, 2008 2:00 PM:
LM wrote on Feb 29, 2008 2:33 AM: