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Interim director outlines audit work, staffing hires and impending office move at Metro Arts
Summary
Interim director Ashley reported audit progress focused on grant-related recommendations with an August target, announced hires and temporary cover for communications, and said Metro Arts must relocate from its current building due to an airport acquisition; the FY26 budget was flat but included $34,000 restored savings.
Ashley, the interim executive director, told the commission that Metro Arts has prioritized audit tasks related to grant procedures and is working toward early completion dates set by the audit team. Staff said the audit was reissued with updated dates and the department is on schedule to address grant-related recommendations, with some deliverables targeted for August 1.
On staffing, Ashley reported recent turnover and short-term coverage: grants manager Sydney Davis has departed, and former communications manager Molly Berlus is providing part-time temporary support for 6–8 weeks to help urgent communications and public-art needs. The department has made a contingent offer for a public-information manager with a mid‑July anticipated start, and will next move forward on hiring a public-art manager, she said.
Ashley told the commission Metro Arts’ FY26 Metro Council budget was maintained as a flat budget year. The adopted budget included the restoration of approximately $34,000 in targeted savings and money to support a potential move. Ashley said Metro Arts must relocate from the current building because the site is being acquired by the airport; staff are exploring Metro-owned alternatives and working with Metro partners to identify space — the timeline is not fixed but could extend up to a year.
Staff said Metro’s new pay plan has been implemented systemwide and Metro Arts employees are receiving the new salary ranges. Ashley added that full-time staff have completed Metro-wide "conscious inclusion" DEI training and are scheduled for department-specific sessions including root-cause analysis and corrective-action planning. Managers are conducting annual evaluations and onboarding plans are in place for new hires.
Commission audit and budget committee members reported the audit reissuance and said finance staff would start the budget true-up process in the coming month to align FY26 planning. Commissioner Jester said the audit is on schedule, and finance director Capri Harston will provide more detailed packet updates in future commission meetings.
Chair and commissioners closed the meeting after a final adjournment motion.
