South Bannock County Historical Center director reports about 5,800 monthly visitors, reiterates $12,000 funding ask

Zack Stoddard, director of the South Bannock County Historical Center and Museum, told Bannock County officials that the museum averages about 5,800 visitors per month when attendance is averaged across the year and reiterated his prior request for $12,000 in county support.

Stoddard said attendance peaks in summer and slows in winter but averages roughly 5,800 per month across the full year. He described the museum’s current admission approach as a low, $2 fee supplemented by occasional free-admission days and discounts for military members. "Having a $2 admission, which honestly is pretty reasonable," Stoddard said, explaining the fee helps cover operating costs while keeping the museum accessible.

The museum director said he uses several tactics to increase visitation and revenue, including a family-focused scavenger hunt for children and limited on-site food-and-beverage vendors. "A lot of my returns, they come for our scavenger hunt," he said. He named Idaho Coffee Company of Pocatello as a recurring vendor and said a second food vendor from Pocatello provides Indian food; his board has limited vendors to food and beverage to reduce local waiting-room pressure for dining.

Stoddard described fundraising and membership as uneven. He said he sends about 90 solicitation letters a year and typically gets 40 to 50 positive responses. He said the museum has aimed to balance income and expenses, keeping net around zero where possible, and that building maintenance is becoming more costly for the roughly 50-year-old facility.

On utilities, Stoddard described a disputed water bill and said the meter has been problematic; he said he has asked the utility to replace the meter but has not gotten a consistent resolution. He also noted increases in energy and gas costs, saying he had seen utility bills triple even without changing how the museum operates.

Stoddard noted the museum’s modest vendor program and admissions are intended to supplement revenue without creating large entry barriers for families. He said the $12,000 request from last year helped close gaps between income and expenses and that he will continue to seek county support to keep up with maintenance and rising operating costs.

The museum’s funding request was presented during the public comment/agency presentation portion of the meeting; no formal county decision on the request was recorded in the transcript.