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State Theatre Preservation Society asks council for $30,000 to cover rising operating costs
Summary
Barry Taylor, president of the State Theatre Preservation Society, requested $30,000 in one‑year support to help cover monthly operating costs that have grown with rising utility and other expenses. Council members expressed support and said they would consider the request in budget deliberations.
Barry Taylor, president of the State Theatre Preservation Society Board, asked the council for $30,000 in one‑year operating support to help make the downtown venue financially sustainable while it rebuilds audience and revenue after pandemic losses.
Taylor said the theater’s fixed monthly costs run around $3,000 before concessions or ticket sales, and that inflation — especially utilities — has increased operating expenses by roughly 40 percent in recent years. He described a mix of revenue sources that includes ticket sales, concessions and a small number of regular donors and sponsors, and he said nearly all theater labor is volunteer except for one paid custodian.
Taylor described programs the theater intends to develop with help from local partners, including a "Junior Tech" program to teach lighting, sound and stagecraft to students who lack access to school theater resources. He said the requested $30,000 would be a one‑year operating bridge to stabilize operations while the theater pursues grants and sponsorships and expands marketing.
Council members voiced support for the idea of a modest, time‑limited investment; several members said they would like to include the request in upcoming budget conversations and noted the theater’s volunteer staffing and demonstrated economic draw to downtown on event nights. No formal motion or vote was recorded; members indicated the request would be taken under advisement as part of broader budget deliberations.
Ending: The council signaled informal support and asked staff to consider the request during the budget review process; no formal appropriation was made at the meeting.
