At a morning meeting today, Austin and Mower County officials agreed that they would talk before agreeing to any joint funding in the future.

Tuesday, April 18, 2000

At a morning meeting today, Austin and Mower County officials agreed that they would talk before agreeing to any joint funding in the future. The reason for their agreement? A recent request from the Mower County Historical Society for funds from the city.

The historical society, it was explained by Director Shirley DeYoung at the city’s last finance meeting, may have to close its doors in October because it will be out of money by then. At that meeting, the finance committee agreed to give the group $5,000 if the Mower County Board of Commissioners would do the same.

Mower County Commissioner Len Miller explained that the city was being manipulated by the Mower County Historical Society. He likened the situation to a child going from one parent to the other to get what he or she wants in the end.

"The county didn’t just throw them out," Miller said. "We actually increased their appropriation this year. They’re crying wolf out there … What we were doing, is trying to get them to deal with their management and budget issues. They need to be accountable."

Miller said that the board had requested the society conduct an audit, which is under way now and is being paid by the board. He also said that the county pays for most of the major renovations at the historical society.

"Do they (society members) not understand that?" council member Jeanne Poppe asked. "It certainly seemed like they needed the money to do repairs and to pay for the audit?"

The answer from the county was a qualified "yes." However, communication was something the city and county agreed should be worked on between the historical society and the county board. A primary question at this morning’s meeting was whether DeYoung should act as spokeswoman or George Brophy, the president of the group’s board of directors.

"The (society’s) board is sort of in a state of flux right now," County Coordinator Craig Oscarson said. "You hear different things from different members."

DeYoung expressed surprise at the county’s statements this morning.

"They told me at their finance meeting that we would have to pay for the audit ourselves, so it’s good news if they will pay for it … and they say they will have funds for repairs? I think I’ll call Craig (Oscarson)," DeYoung said.

The issue of the $5,000 matching grant likely will be on the county’s April 25 meeting, because it needs to be discussed, but Tucker didn’t want to vote on it before the audit results are known.

"Before we throw money at them, that audit better be correct because we gotta know how they are handling their funds," he said. "If their costs are all legitimate and accounted for, then maybe we should look at more funding."