Ag Museum ready for help under its terms

Daytona Beach News-Journal

But the board's counterproposal could be a tough pill to swallow, said Craig Coffey, county administrator.

"It appears they have eliminated the main components of the original offer that made the deal feasible and advantageous," Coffey said. "And, more importantly, (the revisions) eliminate one of our partners -- the Flagler County School Board."

Under a "Rescue Action Plan" presented earlier this year by Flagler County, Palm Coast and School Board officials, the museum could remain an independent nonprofit, with a few new members added to the current board of directors.

In return, the government triumvirate would take over operational and capital expenses and assume ownership of the 67-acre museum property by paying off the mortgage, eliminating $2,400 in monthly payments.

Officials also pledged to use lobbyists and staff members to seek more grants and other funding to boost the museum's profile. However, the museum's current staff would have to be let go in favor of using current city, county and school district employees.

In a memo sent to county officials earlier this month, museum director Bruce Piatek indicated the board would accept the deal, but only if certain changes are made.

Under the museum board's counterproposal, Palm Coast and Flagler County may each recommend a citizen or elected official -- but not a staff member -- to sit on the museum's board. However, the existing board would appoint new members at its sole discretion, the memo states.

The nonprofit also would retain ownership of the museum property and all assets but would look to the county to pay off the existing mortgage. Palm Coast officials also would be asked to pay $25,000 on top of the $70,000 in annual funding they now provide to the museum, the memo states.

In exchange, museum officials would provide an annual budget document spelling out how the funds will be spent.

Another of the museum board's terms, according to Piatek's memo, is a stipulation that existing staff would remain. But the county would be expected to provide workers for mowing, restroom cleaning and handling land-management issues, under the direction of museum staff.

Coffey said one of his chief concerns with the counterproposal is the mortgage payoff. Without an ownership stake, it's unlikely county officials could tap into the grant sources they hoped would help offset the mortgage debt, he said.

And in leaving current museum staff in place, the savings officials hoped to reap by juggling city, county and school board employees is lost, he said.

Coffey said ultimately it will be up to elected officials to decide what to do about the museum. Right now, he said he's moving on to more pressing issues, such as next year's budget. However, he said he's open to further discussion on the matter.

"The museum board is making some choices," Coffey said. "I hope they make the right ones that lead to the museum's success."

heather.scofield@news-jrnl.com