Council approves $450,000 joint support for Wenatchee Valley Museum, with debate over hotel‑motel funding and general fund share

The East Wenatchee City Council voted to approve Resolution 2025‑14, authorizing a joint agreement with the City of Wenatchee and the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center for a contribution not to exceed $450,000 over three years.

City staff said the three‑year agreement reduces the prior five‑year commitment because multiple public partners face budget uncertainty; the East Wenatchee share will be allocated in part from East Wenatchee’s hotel‑motel (lodging) tax receipts and in part from the general fund. Under the proposed split, the East Wenatchee Events Board had recommended covering a larger portion in year one (the packet shows the events board agreed to pay a larger share in 2025), with smaller general‑fund contributions in 2026 and 2027.

Council members and the museum’s representative, Mariah, described how the museum’s programming benefits the community: free admission on the first Friday and Saturday of each month, cultural events (for example a recent multicultural festival that drew more than 500 attendees), school programs and field trips that serve approximately 10,000 valley students annually, and professional care of the museum’s historical collection. Council discussion covered whether more of the municipal contribution could come from lodging tax (which must meet “heads in beds” or tourism‑related eligibility rules) versus the general fund.

Several council members praised the museum as a community benefit and said they preferred a multi‑year agreement to allow the museum to plan staffing and programs. Others pressed staff to ensure the portion funded from lodging tax meets state and local eligibility rules and noted that Chelan County has in the past supported museum projects while Douglas County has not been a regular funder.

The council asked about whether the museum would offer more direct resident benefits (discounted admission or dedicated resident programming) as part of the agreement; Mariah said the museum already offers free admission on two days each month, puts on free cultural events, and provides extensive school programming and collection care. Council members also discussed a potential future capital campaign the museum is exploring; staff said no formal city request for capital funding had been submitted.

The motion to approve Resolution 2025‑14—authorizing the mayor to execute the joint agreement for an amount not to exceed $450,000 over three years—was made by Council member Botello, seconded by Council member Magdoff; the council voted aye and the motion carried.

Councilmembers noted the agreement reduces the city’s historical general fund outlay compared with earlier contracts and agreed the three‑year term balances partner budgeting challenges while keeping core museum services supported.