Commissioners read first draft of resolution to redirect Music Center's excess revenue; public boards seek more time

The Brown County Board of Commissioners on first reading introduced a resolution (No. 2026-04-1-00001) that would amend the administrative agreement for the Brown County Music Center so that 100% of any excess revenue would be returned to the county to help fund public safety, bridges and roads.

The resolution was read into the record as a first reading; commissioners emphasized that first readings are routinely tabled to allow further meetings, public input and negotiation with the agreement parties, which the resolution lists as the music center management board, the convention/visitors commission and the Maple Leaf Building Corporation (and, as commenters noted, the bank remains an interested party). The reading described the background: the innkeepers tax had been pledged as collateral on a $12.5 million loan; federal shuttered-venue grants provided about $2.7 million to the venue and county contributions totaled roughly $239,000, per the presentation. A recent draft bridge report cited replacement costs for eight bridges at about $8,360,000 and rehabilitation for 27 bridges at about $9,670,000, figures commissioners raised as part of the argument for reallocating potential excess revenue.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the proposal as a way to give residents a voice on distribution of any excess revenue and to begin renegotiation where needed, while several speakers warned that ‘excess’ is not known until audited — it could be zero — and that changes affect multiple private and public parties.

Public commenters from multiple affected parties asked for time and clarity before any change. Bruce G., who identified himself as a member of the music center board, asked commissioners to table the resolution because the music center board had received the draft only minutes before the meeting and needed counsel review; he said the bank is an agreement party and raised concern about who must consent to amendments. John Elliot, board chair of the Brown County Community Foundation, said the foundation does not control those funds, that any excess is determined only after audits and that unrestricted dollars (which the foundation receives less often) have disproportionate community impact: “We don’t know what excess revenues there will be which come after financial audits in the following year. So there’s no way even if we wanted to count on a certain amount of money we can — we don’t know what it will be; it could be zero.”

Other public commenters pressed the commissioners on transparency and the risk to taxpayers if the venue were to face an economic downturn. Sherry Mitchell asked whether a $1 million capital fund must remain in place before any distribution; commissioners clarified statutory restrictions govern some portions of innkeepers-tax revenue and that advisory bodies (a quality-of-life committee) do not have authority to direct funds — the CDC board and the county council retain control over distributions.

Outcome and next steps: Commissioners moved to table the item to allow the music center board, legal counsel and other parties additional review and to schedule further public meetings; the motion to table was seconded and passed by roll call (Kevin yes, Ron yes, Tim yes). Commissioners and staff said the tabling is consistent with routine first-reading practice and that future meetings will continue the discussion and negotiation. The resolution as read will not be voted on for final approval until agreement-party approvals and any required council actions are obtained.

Contextual details and clarifications: The presentation and comments referenced the administration agreement’s prior arrangement that, subject to law, allowed the management group to contribute up to 75% of excess revenue to a foundation with 25% to the county; the proposed amendment would remove ambiguity and direct distribution to the county. Commenters noted the bank’s historical role in the operating agreement and asked that the bank and all signatories be given opportunity for review. Commissioners said the change, if pursued, would require renegotiation of existing contracts and council approval of any refinancing or funding changes.

The board said it will schedule additional public meetings and coordinate further discussion with the music center’s management board, the convention/visitors commission, Maple Leaf Building Corporation and county council staff before any final action.