Museum representatives ask board for longer, more secure lease; board authorizes committee to finalize terms

Museum board members told supervisors the Central High Museum represents local history and the Black heritage trail and asked for a longer-term lease and county support for building liability and maintenance. George E. Smith, a Central High Museum board member and treasurer, asked the board to delay final approval until the museum and the facilities committee could address several clauses the museum finds problematic and "get it right." He said the museum should have assurances of longevity in the space and called for more time to review the draft lease.

Kathy Liston and other speakers urged a lease comparable to the Museum of Charlotte County's 30-year arrangement with a nominal $1-per-year rent and county-provided grounds and utility maintenance. After discussion, supervisors agreed to let the Central High Museum committee and Supervisor Witt (and Mr. Whit) negotiate final language on the lease's link clause and liability insurance; the board approved executing the lease upon committee concurrence so the museum would not need to return to the full board for a subsequent meeting.