Representatives of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center discussed 2027 funding with Allen County Commissioners Tuesday morning. The Bowlus currently receives funds based upon a specific mill levy, and Director Mandy Moyer and the Commission discussed making this a fixed sum, a concept. Commissioner Jerry Daniels said he would be willing to look at it, based on the fact the value of a mill can change from year to year, whereas allocating a set fund would allow for certainty in budgeting for both the Bowlus and the county.
The county levy currently generates around $200,000 a year. The Bowlus also gets mill levy support from the City of Iola and USD 257.
Moyer told commissioners about private donations, which she said are often giving for specific purposes. Examples of this were donations that were utilized for replacement of wireless microphones that were well beyond life expectancy and which repair of was no longer possible, and another donation that funded a full restoration of their Steinway 1911 piano that is frequently used there.
Commissioners approved a request for $1,500 dollars from the Humboldt Biblesta Committee, the same sum it has provided in past years. In presenting the request, it was noted the total cost to put on the one-of-a-kind event has gone up from just under $50 dollars for the first Biblesta in 1958 to around $30,000 today.
Commissioners discussed a potential sale of property in Mildred it may or may not own. An individual there who owns adjoining properties has expressed interest in purchasing the tract which at one time belonged to the city of Mildred prior to it’s unincorporation. What isn’t certain is whether this property passed to the county or to Osage Township. This issue is going to researched. What is known is either a sealed bid or auction process will have to be used to dispose of it.
