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Council agrees to pursue feasibility for museum renovation but requests legal and funding review
Summary
Council members agreed to have staff pursue cost estimates and legal guidance for renovating a purchased house into a museum and split-use community-development space, with particular attention to whether SPLOST funds were used for acquisition and how costs would be allocated.
Council members directed staff to pursue cost estimates and obtain legal guidance on whether SPLOST funds can be used to renovate a purchased house for museum and community-development uses.
The Council debated whether the museum property had been acquired using SPLOST (special local option sales tax) funds. Staff reviewed past SPLOST referendum language: a 2015 SPLOST list did not list a museum, while the 2021 SPLOST referenced improvements and expansion of the Temple Museum. Several members said it is important to be “crystal clear” about fund sources before committing spending and to keep museum-designated funds separate from community-development costs.
Members asked staff and the city attorney to verify the purchase-source of the property, separate the front-of-house museum renovation costs from back-of-house community-development costs, and obtain rough remodelling cost estimates (including structural inspection to check for rot or other deferred maintenance). Councilmember discussion emphasized that pursuing information does not commit to construction.
The committee gave staff direction to gather quotes and legal counsel; staff (Randall and others) previously gathered some quotes and will report back with a cost breakdown so funding sources can be identified.
No final vote was taken; staff will report findings and cost estimates at a later meeting.
