[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6261314,"mediaKeyId","3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf","parentId",3124358,"title","Salisbury Zoo seeks $500,000 seed for education center; AZA accreditation and larger exhibits drive multi‑year fundraising","audioSeconds",479,"startMs",1716425,"endMs",2195460,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf&start=1716&end=2195","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf/thumbnail_1716425.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6261314/Salisbury/Wicomico-County/Maryland/Salisbury-Zoo-seeks-500000-seed-for-education-center-AZA-accreditation-and-larger-exhibits-drive-multiyear-fundraising","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261314-19cf267de882fc3050b942b1e4397452/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154547&Signature=oa-SlVvicMAhrjNu1JFORnQnEmJX3GUjqkDjdT7XStvGZAj2rgTHS9ImvxcdY8SldMweGopHCbzA1y2FRKNuDYGA5oMHrevKDCsWAMtdSzWPuHAag5JDKTHJZ1Y51iCF3m7ai7I84v5zgmfZijk-M1Jvk8WUDEQzujTxMpTnNDsZQkDAgNaVhcsHMf7zGBF~Ey9xPARjGZYhk8iLFGWihu8XL5Sa7cU0o7ZfD6tDcT-lLWOfIlv1B09MX6ODHOqbfQcqXXUFQR7f4PUN7bafk6C0p1yXTAgOc~WguHXkiu6WHXBxeCtyRh9olHMrDN~wu-Xalbw0Vd3r0glMIuFwyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of of Salisbury, MD","date","2025-04-25T16:18:41.403Z","article","Alan Swiger, director of Arts, Business and Culture, told the council the Salisbury Zoo operation is largely balanced for daily staffing and that much of the zoo's event and education expenses are offset by revenue accounts.

Swiger described a request in the capital-improvement plan for $500,000 to kick-start an education or discovery center. He said the project concept is a roughly 10,000-square-foot, two-story facility that would include classrooms, expanded animal-holding space for ambassador animals, and interactive exhibits. \"The goal is a million,\" he said, describing $500,000 as seed funding to attract matching contributions and other partners.

Swiger said the department already used a $350,000 bond reallocation last year to complete animal-services, eagle and hawk exhibit projects and estimated about $10 million in total exhibit and facility improvements on the longer list. He said the Indian bear exhibit alone could cost $5 million to $6 million and that the department plans to pursue Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation as a step to unlock larger funding sources.

Swiger cautioned that some foundation support that has offset staff costs in the past (about $67,000) may shift as the foundation's fundraising focus turns toward capital exhibits. He said the education center would increase capacity for school visits and could create new modest revenue streams through expanded programming.

Council members asked for cost breakdowns and what different funding increments would accomplish; Swiger said staff would provide an engineering and architectural phase estimate in follow-up. No formal appropriation was recorded in the transcript; the department asked council to consider the $500,000 seed as part of the CIP funding discussion and to support a fundraising campaign and partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 City of Salisbury Budget Sessions: 7 - ABCD","oneSentenceSummary","Director Alan Swiger described a proposal that would use $500,000 as seed funding toward a roughly $1 million interactive education center at Salisbury Zoo, while noting the larger, long-term capital needs for exhibits and the role AZA accreditation plays in accessing major funding.","taxTitle","Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland","taxId",4259,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261319,"Council discusses costs to repair Winterfest lights, city may consider surplus appropriation or sponsorships",195,855730,1050850,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf&start=855&end=1050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf/thumbnail_855730.jpg","/articles/6261319/Salisbury/Wicomico-County/Maryland/Council-discusses-costs-to-repair-Winterfest-lights-city-may-consider-surplus-appropriation-or-sponsorships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261319-511d8464e4884b79769451b4edfa59e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154547&Signature=WhrkaqyDyZtR7Z7OgjyWJEQW-nePOGhGSqqSBO6tmWdXqeDqEKxdx2~DtYzapz82tEjFLG8W0V04116TvnKiS9qrA24WmNg2xjTJI5aV2C-knzMFP~e6EH2sJTNudFCmAERoQSWEI5RzyhfJZfscnUoexj5775Z3L7Ok2L~ykuwqzK-XLt7s1MWe5CDh6Lpvme0sG1bsDsBiVbF469e2AOn5WXUeWd60OuDsv49P1C9w6Awy0-mcJbc14hh~RQsjmMfanmPchVthn4kxYqspY0Jf8gnRzkTwyZ0rQ~hdZWervOSTuJmukukG9Q5R83aWI24NSxcJLQL1bPUbwPOsIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members raised longstanding concerns about the condition of holiday lighting at City Park and Winterfest displays, and discussed options including phased replacement, private sponsorship and a possible appropriation from surplus.

Alan Swiger said the Winterfest pieces are \"pretty deteriorated\" and noted that new installations can be costly. He provided ballpark figures: individual new pieces typically cost $20,000'$25,000 and the park's signature tree replacement was described in the discussion as about $80,000.

Council members and staff described prior work with the Greater Salisbury committee and the community foundation. Swiger said some Winterfest funding lives as a grant with the community foundation and that Greater Salisbury has drafted a phasing plan; he and other council members discussed using a private-public partnership or sponsor packages to offset city costs.

One council member suggested pausing a larger budget decision and instead moving money from surplus once staff present a phased package and cost estimate. Staff said they would add the Winterfest plan and cost estimates to the budget packet for the next meeting.

No formal appropriation or vote occurred in the transcript; council members requested follow-up information and documentation of prior Greater Salisbury plans and fundraising options.","Council members and staff described deteriorated holiday-light displays in City Park, cited replacement costs (tree $80,000; some new pieces $20,000'$25,000) and discussed fundraising, sponsorships and the possibility of an appropriation from surplus.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261324,"Mayor proposes modest match funding for Sister Cities exchange; details, target students not specified",91,407979,499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf&start=407&end=499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf/thumbnail_407979.jpg","/articles/6261324/Salisbury/Wicomico-County/Maryland/Mayor-proposes-modest-match-funding-for-Sister-Cities-exchange-details-target-students-not-specified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261324-fe217b843e9493af117abb57a20ef2fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154547&Signature=FVUCjdH6jLLpHqOZ4b3n1unJ6nZ650vGQE0RqveAqYkafIRIM0TsjNnOJHCMRi~nFYVxw5tc0vnDv7jvUdFAmo15~WwPOMW7AFGYPfkT3DTEJ0~fhhxPJzDZSnD8xWWROQNaST7PsmgSML5Qb-FwdRJQdiDGCF9U2craNDyghRVvH6ciEVGXU8iBKFwNjqzjSrZGxbRtRLVPqRpHtB3WQerFlQ2yPLUraxwNtm1PbvWevws46OnXrFLqvf0bVIlpYRI8uMmJNGs9nLRzO4ivp3vf2-GyLAGKnOauiXQmUzg~MlO9Iddn8w07awrcckO9tVG2e~2g4Bt~l7s96egjxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The mayor told the council he has discussed the Sister Cities program with George Whitehead and wants to provide a modest allocation to send students to Salisbury's sister cities and to receive visitors in return.

\"Let's do something that would be really cool for the SU students,\" the mayor said, referring to Salisbury University. He said the city would consider matching funds if the university or other partners can provide support.

Council members asked whether the program is intended for high school or college students. The mayor said he had not specified strict limits and suggested the program could include K'12 partners, Salisbury University interns, or other participants depending on guidelines developed by local Sister Cities organizers.

Staff and council members discussed asking the Wicomico County Board of Education and Salisbury University to help devise selection guidelines, such as an essay or writing contest, and the possibility of matched funding of roughly $3,000 per participant if partners can contribute.

No formal appropriation was recorded in the transcript; the item was presented as an idea for an allocated line in the department budget packet and referred for further discussion about eligibility and matching funds.","The mayor said he proposes allocating a small amount of city funding to support a student exchange with Salisbury's sister cities, potentially matching contributions from Salisbury University; the council discussed whether the program should target high school or college students.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261329,"Arts, Business and Culture shifts staff accounts, increases event recruitment funds and art maintenance",137,179450,316870,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf&start=179&end=316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf/thumbnail_179450.jpg","/articles/6261329/Salisbury/Wicomico-County/Maryland/Arts-Business-and-Culture-shifts-staff-accounts-increases-event-recruitment-funds-and-art-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261329-7f3caab7ef8581049f630518c7fa045d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154547&Signature=enJMtiNXqyRRxUUIO4Ai552ILU3uIKorFb~-OmAJx3twOeXNGc2k8mRa~nunVI3ONphNvq7KrKu38BhmQUlGx0iouxi2NFy1bQwBK-UPk4gUZvpQZdc5nC~UzdFRlBTZL4tw4wzGDiogjWi2PPMZCSeLiyyxhp1v6S-kNgwnEh3aUR91P9Je~a8uvMRaZTPmpWiFVa5tn4OxF1sAekcI9F6DJS3ryx1tS8sCQhJqucbmMhf4AlkqFdcWuL7rkaJm~V7lp6RJS4Isz3N3qVFDpvliMSNXUNHhd-h35PnI9FNK-hHeI-ChNImEX~WGT9j83KH8uOBbL-BH~UiITs29Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alan Swiger, director of Arts, Business and Culture, told council members the department consolidated employees and event management into the 11,600 operating account to align staff with the accounts that fund their work.

Swiger said the department increased the professional services line from $10,000 to $25,000 after moving money out of the marketing line. \"That was a movement of funds from the marketing line,\" he said. The money will be used for event recruitment and support, continuing a program that awarded $2,000 to $3,000 to selected events during a prior MIP grant.

Swiger said the change does not add recurring dollars beyond normal increases but reallocates existing funds as the department matures. He noted the department is three years old and staff are still fine-tuning account structures.

The presentation also moved $15,000 into art maintenance to support lighting and infrastructure repairs for public art installations, and noted increased grant activity through the Maryland State Arts Council and projects such as the Salisbury Prize in the city park.

Swiger described a modest increase in funding to the Salisbury-Wicomico Arts Council (per that group's request) and said some event- and culture-related accounts previously held in project or parks accounts were transferred into 11,600 for clearer management.

Council members asked about items listed under \"sister cities,\" \"Swed,\" and an item the transcript referred to as \"Pack 14.\" Staff said those items currently sit in the department account and may be moved to the mayor's or appropriate accounts for management. No formal appropriation or vote was recorded during the presentation.","Director Alan Swiger said the department moved staff into a single operating account, increased professional services for event recruitment to $25,000 and shifted $15,000 into art maintenance; the changes reallocate existing funds rather than add new recurring money.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261332,"Salisbury budget shifts add staff pay and $150,000 exterior work at Poplar Hill Mansion",126,26435,152445,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf&start=26&end=152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124358-7dc86404e87d7a0cbecc35920dd8d1cf/thumbnail_26435.jpg","/articles/6261332/Salisbury/Wicomico-County/Maryland/Salisbury-budget-shifts-add-staff-pay-and-150000-exterior-work-at-Poplar-Hill-Mansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261332-f17a998e2a62eb229a41e44f82bd1b65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154547&Signature=U1fML0JlR3XZzMkC4txdWzXCqEt4qZjjZbBPf0dfJuecR4p3v8ygiNr9VI0TIJlhk7AbFBkynaZgh4DXhU-1FKvygci7QZTsv5s8YBvl--GWnr9INYOvcUdfoLr8hxgcpfEZYOnIDPz3Kz4i16cejkHzrtfbigvlR~Ol3vzzBJ5Kns6mhx5N-MNV9fVkF-QSrd2a9qsCxDlD57tDetiynwtE~AJGOrmk5wJpCsSGu99H5WvfMZGJq-GPKm4RtUC1u1d3IqOqhwbV0CTHiw-HCCAO2pw6SNfASy2HCelnebQENrFMWfx-dEERNZv7ug3C9OeiDoWyke54QXWrPK4TyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alan Swiger, director of Arts, Business and Culture, told the council the Poplar Hill Mansion budget for the coming year contains only a small change: a market adjustment to the salary of the on-site curator and caretaker.

\"She acts as our security. She acts as our maid,\" Swiger said, describing the curator's multiple duties. He said the adjustment brings her pay in line with the city's grade-and-step structure after she had been paid below the minimum for her grade.

Swiger also described a capital improvement project entry of $150,000 for a third phase of exterior work on the mansion. He said the funds are intended to restore upper exterior siding and to rehabilitate the historic shutters, which are currently stored in the basement, and to install attic HVAC and positive airflow needed for expanded programming space.

Swiger said the Maryland Historical Trust and local preservation stakeholders are involved in the project. No formal vote or appropriation was recorded in the transcript; council questions focused on the scope and sequencing of the work.

City council members asked how lands-and-grounds maintenance had come in under budget in recent years; Swiger said field operations and certified downtown maintenance staff sometimes supplement contracted lawn and grounds work, reducing billed costs.

The council did not take a formal action on the Poplar Hill items during this presentation; staff presented the proposed pay adjustment and CIP request for council consideration as part of the department budget packet.","City officials described a small budget change to raise the on-site curator'caretaker's pay and said $150,000 is proposed in the CIP to restore upper exterior siding and shutters at Poplar Hill Mansion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Salisbury Zoo seeks $500,000 seed for education center; AZA accreditation and larger exhibits drive multi‑year fundraising

Council discusses costs to repair Winterfest lights, city may consider surplus appropriation or sponsorships

Mayor proposes modest match funding for Sister Cities exchange; details, target students not specified

Arts, Business and Culture shifts staff accounts, increases event recruitment funds and art maintenance

Salisbury budget shifts add staff pay and $150,000 exterior work at Poplar Hill Mansion