Opera House director asks city to maintain support while not requesting increase for 2027

Ellie Dillon, executive director of Junction City Opera House Incorporated, told the commission the opera house is a 501(c)(3) that manages the CL Hoover Opera House and is not asking the city for an increase in support for fiscal 2026–27. “We are not asking for an increase, for support from the city,” Dillon said, adding the organization trimmed both income and expense projections and will focus on private rentals and sponsorships to cover costs.

Dillon highlighted recent program and facility performance, saying facility rentals grew about 10% and ticket sales and sponsorships rose roughly 4% last year. She outlined partnerships with JC Main Street and the Dorothy Bramwich Public Library and pointed to a broader local economic impact: “We estimated that nearly 16,000 people walked through the doors of the opera house this past year,” she said. Commissioners asked for clarification on prior city contributions; one commissioner noted the commission provided a $150,000 payment last year to pay off an education-note associated with the facility.

The presentation included an overview of staffing (one full‑time employee plus part‑time and academy staff), and planned efficiencies for education programming and reduced contract technical support. Dillon said utility costs remain a pressure and that the organization will pursue energy‑efficiency measures. The commission did not take a formal funding vote during the meeting; staff will carry the Opera House request forward in the ongoing budget workshops.