Gatchell Board Concerned About County Funding

The Jim Gatchell Museum Board is concerned about their budget for the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year and approached the county commission with questions concerning funding during their regular Tuesday meeting.

Board member Sharon Miller explained that through the first three quarters of the fiscal year, the museum’s income appears to be in good shape, although that is due to an increase in store sales and admissions over projections, and previous years’ tax settlements that were greater than expected.

The museum board is concerned about funding from the county through the remainder of the fiscal year, and asked the commission for a projection to help with budgeting.

Commissioner Bill Novotny said it would be difficult to estimate revenues from property taxes, but it should become clearer in the coming weeks.

Commissioner Linda Greenough said it would be premature to try to predict what will happen in the coming months, especially since the current coronavirus situation has “thrown a wrinkle” into many funding streams.

According to discussions, the county is seeing a 44% downturn in sales taxes this year from 2019, and is looking at a possible slide in valuation in the next fiscal year down to around $200 million, which would result in less tax revenue.

Commissioner Greenough said although the current situation is difficult, she’s not ready to give up.

Commissioner Novotny said the county needs to look forward and be prepared so when the economy opens back up that “we are ready to receive visitors and that we are open for business.”