| County Historical Society is centralizing operations |
By: Paul M. Malchow
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Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:24 am
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In a split vote, the board agreed to release $25,706 in appropriated funds to the Le Sueur County Historical Society. Interim President Jean Haas and Society Coordinator Kathy Burns appeared before the board to request the funds to meet financial obligations for March and April.
Although the county budget set aside $58,275 for the society in 2009, the board had refused to release any payment while a civil suit involving the LSCHS remains unsettled. The commissioners also expressed a desire for the society to provide clearer accounting of where the funds are spent.
In January the commissioners agreed to release $15,579.30 of the 2009 allotment to maintain utilities, insure and keep historic sites secure, allow the society to maintain communications with its members and continue pursuing centralization goals.
The LSCHS is in the process of a major re-organizing effort. The Montgomery chapter has been dropped from the society. Haas and Burns delivered signed resolutions from the Cleveland, Le Sueur, Le Center and Ottawa chapters stating those chapters are now affiliated with the LSCHS as subordinate organizations. They told the commissioners they expect a similar document to come from the Elysian chapter later this month. The resolutions are part of an effort to centralize LSCHS operations. All chapter financial activity will be handled through one bank account. Real estate owned by the Cleveland chapter and the Le Sueur chapter have been transfered via warranty deed to the LSCHS.
The current LSCHS funding request would be used to pay utilities, service contracts and expenses incurred during the centralization process. The LSCHS is also looking to satisfy a $16,000 line of credit issued by First State Bank of Le Center. The loan was secured by the LSCHS to cover operating expenses from the 2009 season.
“It would seem vindictive to not keep the doors open,” said Commissioner Stangler. “It’s much more transparent, more open, more accountable. I move to allocate the money they are requesting.”
Commissioner Doherty seconded the motion, saying, “From the start I’ve wanted more transparency. This new model makes full disclosure so everyone knows where the dollars go.”
The motion passed 3-1 with Commissioner Culhane voting against.
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