Lake Wales History Museum seeks larger city subsidy, new deliverables in operating agreement

The Lake Wales History Museum asked city commissioners on a quarterly report to approve a revised lease and operating agreement that would add measurable deliverables and raise the museum’s annual city subsidy from $175,000 to $200,000. Museum President Brandon Alvarado told commissioners the draft agreement would require quarterly reporting on museum attendance, Pioneer Days attendance, number of programs offered and program attendance, artifact acquisitions and conservation, social media and website engagement, funds raised annually and quarterly profit-and-loss statements. Alvarado said the requested increase would primarily fund a third staff position — a curator of collections and exhibits — and help stabilize staffing so the museum can care for artifacts the city owns and expand exhibits. “When we…