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Council approves late grants for Laboratory Theater and Lee County Black History Society
Summary
Council approved two late budget amendments: $50,000 to replace HVAC at the Laboratory Theater and $140,000 per year (two years) to support the Lee County Black History Society cultural center after separate motions and roll‑call votes.
Council considered two late funding requests during the final budget hearing. Staff summarized the requests, which included $50,000 to replace two HVAC units at the Laboratory Theater of Florida and a two‑year request totaling $280,000 ($140,000 per year) for the Lee County Black History Society to support programming tied to a cultural center and the amphitheater project.
Council debated whether the late additions were appropriate after a long budget process but ultimately separated the items for individual votes. Council approved the Lee County Black History Society funding and separately approved the $50,000 HVAC appropriation for the Laboratory Theater.
Council members emphasized that reserves permit targeted investments and that both organizations presented needs tied to lost state funding and program sustainability; the council asked staff to follow up on specifics for how the money will be used.
