After a year of labor, the History Center Blue Ribbon panel was to present its findings on May 27 to the Sarasota County Commission.
The members had been instructed to "review alternative business models, funding sources, look toward self-sufficiency and consolidation possibilities for all preservation and historic agencies."
"The whole world has changed since the panel began its work, " the group’s report says. "Entire business markets have collapsed, considerable wealth has been lost, and governments across this nation are facing deep fiscal crisis with the erosion of their taxing base. The communities of southwest Florida are among the hardest hit by this economic downturn."
With that as a backdrop, the panel provided tangible steps to achieve its goals.
CONSOLIDATE THE PLAYERS
The group notes Sarasota County has more than 20 organizations involved in history to some degree. In addition, the town of Longboat, the cities of Venice and Sarasota and the county all have plans, ordinances, advisory boards, museums and volunteer groups. The blue ribbon panel suggests a widespread consolidation.
"[T]he panel recommends creating a comprehensive ‘single entity’ consolidated Historical Resources Agency (HRA) that will provide needed services in the most cost-efficient and effective manner," the report says. "At present each jurisdiction within Sarasota County, including the county itself, individually supports historic preservation at some level, and maintains one or more citizen advisory boards. This has led to a duplication of infrastructure, a higher cost per unit for services, and due to recent multiple staff losses, a decline in effectiveness and service."
The new entity would be created with interlocal agreements among the county, town and cities. In the interim, the panel suggested naming a director of the HRA to "participate in the agency’s near and long-range strategic planning."
Over time, the panel sees the HRA establishing a "countywide history museum."
WHO PAYS?
As always, the question of money is supreme. If the goal is self-sufficiency, from where will the funds come? The panel examined a variety of sources – some petty, and some profound.
One modest revenue stream would be archival. Various city and county departments, as well as consultants, need to archive documents, collections and artifacts. The HRA would charge a fee to serve as the archival repository.
Another money source could be use of copyrighted materials, including photographs, maps and other intellectual property. The City of Venice already charges for this service.
Profits from historical events are another source of money. Among such events could be lectures, fairs, festivals, poker runs, regattas and other activities. Merchandise sales – the inevitable T-shirts and bags – is another possibility.
Use of tourist development tax proceeds was also proposed by the panel. By state law, the tax is available to support the operation of a local history museum. "Application of TDT funds for use in developing and marketing historic preservation products in this area is seen as an important diversification and competitive advantage for local tourism," the report says.
At present, about $200,000 is available from local-option sales taxes for the design and construction of a new history museum. And historic preservation grants have been used by the City and County of Sarasota for restoration of noteworthy buildings in the past, although these require a local match.
Last, the panel noted the HRA could follow in the footsteps of other public-private partnerships such as the Economic Development Corporation, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Sarasota County Arts Council. These are partially supported by taxes and partially by private individuals and organizations.
The panel anticipates a full-fledged HRA would require a budget of approximately $900,000. It suggested half of that could come from local governments, as they phased out their individual efforts to establish a consolidated HRA. Individual municipal and county historic boards would face sunset.
By fiscal year 2015, the cities and county would pay less than they do now.
May 28th 2009 - 1:13PM