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City council discusses options for municipal band insurance, storage and subsidy; no action taken
Summary
Mitchell City Band leaders asked council to consider options including bringing the band under city insurance and property coverage or increasing subsidy; the band said it now operates as a 501(c)(3) but stores a trailer titled to the city and uses city facilities.
Members of the Mitchell City Band and city staff briefed the council on alternatives for addressing the band’s insurance gap, trailer registration and access to storage and rehearsal space.
Band representatives said the group recently incorporated as a 501(c)(3) and has historically relied on a city subsidy for seasonal operations — primarily eight summer concerts at Hitchcock Park — and a small stipend for the band director. Band leaders said the membership includes area teachers and players who travel from surrounding towns; the band uses the armory for music storage and a trailer stored at Hitchcock Park during the off season. Band leaders said the trailer is titled and licensed in the city’s name, creating an insurance gray area because the band is not a city department and their materials stored in the armory are not covered by city insurance.
City staff outlined options: increase the band’s annual subsidy so the band could purchase private insurance, or make the band a city entity and insure instruments and equipment under municipal policies. Staff said either approach would have costs; preliminary quotes discussed at the meeting estimated private insurance for the band’s materials in the range of $1,000–$1,500 per year, with an additional vehicle insurance endorsement for trailer towing of about $250–$350 annually. Staff said city insurance could also increase the city’s costs.
Council and staff suggested the band update subsidy application materials with firm insurance quotes and specific requests (storage access, armory key assignment, trailer insurance reimbursement) and return for formal consideration during the subsidy review process. Staff and council clarified that if the band were made a city entity, there would be administrative steps to manage keys, access and required background checks for paid music director time; if the band remains a nonprofit, the band would likely need private insurance for materials and coordinate trailer insurance via an individual's vehicle policy.
Ending
No council action was taken; staff asked the band to return with updated insurance quotes and a subsidy application listing the requested supports.
