Old Courthouse Museum board asks Douglas County commissioners for two-year lease; commissioners add lease request to tomorrow's agenda

The Old Courthouse Museum's new leadership asked the Douglas County Board of Commissioners on May 4 for a two-year lease so the nonprofit can implement reforms, expand school tours and pursue fundraising partnerships.

Frank Frank, who introduced himself as a museum board presenter, said the newly constituted board had reorganized leadership, would provide quarterly and annual financial reports and open its books to county review. "We are here to ask for a new lease," Frank said, urging commissioners to put a two-year agreement on the next day's agenda so the board could show progress.

Why it matters: The courthouse museum sits in county-owned space that county officials have identified as needed for government offices. Commissioners and staff have repeatedly questioned past museum management over audits, nonprofit filings and use of hotel/motel tax revenues. Museum supporters say the institution is an economic and educational draw for downtown businesses and school groups.

Commissioners pressed presenters on specific points. Commissioner Whitney Kenner Jones asked for transparency and said the county had sought records multiple times. "This board of commissioners has been going back and forth since at least 2023 trying to make recommendations, requesting information," Kenner Jones said, noting the county's historic-preservation commission was intended to coordinate such work.

Museum presenters said the organization now provides school tours, is listed by Explore Georgia and the county travel-and-tourism site, and has a plan to expand programming and fundraising. The new board said it would provide regular reports and allow audits. The museum's presentation included a request that the board vote on a lease at the next day's meeting so the group would not be required to vacate.

Board action: After more than two hours of testimony and questions, commissioners and county legal staff discussed how to place a new-lease item on the agenda. The board agreed to add the museum lease request (and a proclamation) to the May 5 agenda for consideration.

What's next: The board added the museum-lease request to tomorrow's agenda; the matter could be a standalone vote or a new lease drafted by county legal counsel. Museum leaders said they would accept a 60-day termination clause if the county sought additional review, and promised to submit financial reports if a lease is granted.