Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cultural Affairs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community college seeks $200,000 from Neosho County toward Mee Family Fine Arts Center renovation
Summary
The college presented plans to renovate its 1968 auditorium into the Mee Family Fine Arts Center, a $5.5 million project funded largely by private gifts and grants; the college asked the commission for a $200,000 contribution to help finish the campaign and said county support could be paid over time.
A representative of Neosho County's community college described plans to renovate the campus auditorium—built in 1968—and asked Neosho County commissioners for a $200,000 contribution to the Mee Family Fine Arts Center capital campaign.
The presenter said the auditorium has not been renovated since 1968, is not ADA-compliant and requires audiovisual, HVAC and lobby upgrades. The Mee family has provided a lead gift (proceeds from farmland sale), and the total project budget is about $5.5 million; the campaign includes an endowed speaker series and a new outdoor stage in addition to interior renovation.
The college representative said the facility seats about 238 after renovation and is widely used by nonprofits, public agencies and community groups free of charge; examples cited included local museums, extension trainings and community events. The presenter said the college will bond for a portion of the work and cover some payments from an upcoming bond payoff, and requested the county's $200,000 be structured as a one-time or multi-year pledge to assist cash flow while remaining fundraising continues.
Commissioners asked about financing and timing; the presenter said pledges and grants are arriving over time and that the contractor requires cash flow up front. The presenter said the college expects to finance the remainder through a 10-year bond and that the county contribution would help reduce borrowing or accelerate finishing the project.
Ending: Commissioners received the request and said they would consider it during budget deliberations; no commitment was made at the work session.
