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Highlands County approves up to $100,000 to finish Avon Park Baseball Museum after TDC decline
Summary
After lengthy public testimony and discussion over funding sources, the Highlands County commission approved an agreement to provide up to $100,000—structured as a TDC (tourism) or general‑fund award depending on follow‑up amendments—to complete interior work at the Avon Park Baseball Museum.
The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve an agreement to award up to $100,000 to the Avon Park Baseball Museum to complete interior exhibits and finishing work, after a lengthy discussion about whether the money should come from Tourist Development Council (TDC) funds or the county’s general fund.
Museum representatives and volunteers told commissioners the construction portion of the project is complete and that the project’s total cost has risen to roughly $600,000. Nancy Fisk, president of the Historical Society, said the construction portion cost about $348,000 and that roughly $400,000 in cash commitments and city support have been raised; the remaining funds are needed for the interior. “We can account for every dollar that’s been donated,” Fisk said, and added that the Historical Society expects to cover ongoing operating costs largely through volunteers.
The board heard appeals from the museum’s fundraising chair, Ronald Sebeni, who said community donations, a $100,000 pledge from Avon Park and contractor in‑kind contributions had brought the project close to completion but left a remaining gap. Sebeni said the museum has more than $300,000 in cash raised and substantial in‑kind donations, and that finishing the project would help attract visitors to the county.
Commissioners disagreed over funding mechanics. Several members, noting a lack of a clear process for unbudgeted donation requests, urged that the award be structured through the TDC’s “third‑penny” tourism funds because the museum is expected to draw visitors; others said a general‑fund award with a later budget amendment or replacement of TDC funds could work. County Attorney Sherry advised the board that each funding route requires different agreement language and deliverables.
The motion approved the agreement in the form presented and directed the county administrator to prepare a budget amendment to fund the award and, if needed, to earmark funds for the purchase of sports complex property as part of a separate budget action. Roll call recorded four yes votes and one no (Commissioner Tuck voted no); the motion carried.
The commissioners also directed staff to tighten procedures for handling future unbudgeted funding requests and to require clear accounting and receipts for any reimbursable costs.
The agreement specifies that awarded funds are to be used for construction/finish work and not for promotion or ongoing operations unless otherwise specified in a later amended agreement; museum leaders said they could provide receipts for new interior expenses.
