Metro Arts staff updated commissioners on audit implementation steps, the department budget request, and personnel changes while noting recent Metro Council legislation that changed commission size from 15 to 11 members.

Interim Executive Director Ashley Batchelder said Metro Arts had requested a 25% increase to its grants budget at the council hearing but the proposed budget did not include that increase. She provided a smaller illustrative figure for context: “if we're looking at a 10% increase in our grants budget, that's what that number is, $326,000,” and said staff will continue to advocate through the public hearing process.

Capri, the new finance administrator, described onboarding and immediate priorities for internal controls and audit recommendations. Capri said she has “met with our human resources,” the Metro finance department and “done grants training and journal entry training,” calling the work a four-phase approach covering policies and procedures, training, operational accountability and partnerships with contractual resources.

Audit and budget context: Staff reported that they provided updated implementation plans to internal audit and plan to hit targets in the audit schedule; the audit committee will convene in June for more detailed updates. Batchelder also noted staffing moves: public art coordinator Jesse Ross will leave in the coming months and the public information manager recruitment is in final interview stages, with the goal of a June identification.

Governance change: Batchelder told commissioners that Metro Council passed legislation altering commission membership: “the legislation passed through the metro council on Tuesday of this week that formally changes our commission size from 15 to 11 members. And so that is why our quorum is now at 6.” Staff said they will circulate updated materials and continue to brief commissioners individually as needed.

Next steps: Staff will continue audit implementation, pursue budget advocacy ahead of the June public hearing, complete hires for the public information manager and prioritize the public art manager role during transitions, and report back to the commission at the next meeting.