Lerner board approves use of 100th‑anniversary donations to buy alcohol, orders reimbursement for prior charge

The Lerner Theatre Board of Elkhart City adopted a resolution Oct. 8 authorizing the Lerner 100 donated funds account to be used for alcohol purchases at events tied to the theatre’s 100th‑anniversary celebration and directing reimbursement for prior charges mistakenly charged to the box office account.

The resolution, presented during the board’s new‑business segment, says the use of funds is limited to the Lerner 100 donated funds account and that the Lerner Theatre will maintain liquor liability insurance in accordance with State of Indiana liquor liability insurance requirements. The policy was made retroactive to Sept. 6, 2025, to allow reimbursement for alcohol purchased for the “Celebration under the Stars” event that had been paid from the box office account.

Board members moved and seconded the resolution; the board adopted it by voice vote (recorded as “Aye”; individual tallies were not specified in the transcript).

The resolution assigns the city controller authority to use the Lerner 100 donated funds account to pay for alcohol purchases at eligible centennial events. No additional limits or dollar thresholds were specified in the discussion on the record. The transcript does not record any dissent or recorded no votes.

The board’s action formalizes the funding source and insurance requirement but does not purport to change state law or municipal ordinance; the resolution references compliance with the State of Indiana’s liquor liability insurance requirements as the controlling standard.

The board did not specify a schedule for reporting reimbursements back to the board during the meeting.