by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
If you’ve ever thrown a pebble into a still pond, you know the stone hitting the water is only a small part. The initial “plop” only serves to get things going. Then the ripples begin.
That’s how people in charge of cultural organizations and other not-for-profit entities regard the impending budget cuts mandated by the property tax legislation coming out of Tallahassee and they’re more concerned about the ripples than they are the “plop.”
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville announced the Cultural Service Capital Program grants totaling nearly $124,000 last week, part of the organization’s financial support from the City’s 2006-07 budget. Funding for arts and other not-for-profit agencies including the Cultural Council was the first thing the City eliminated to prepare for the impending loss of property tax revenue.
In the case of the Cultural Council, the loss of funding is particularly devastating, said Cultural Council Deputy Director Amy Crane, because the Capital Program helps pay for things that are frankly unglamorous. It’s for things like repairing a roof or purchasing a new air conditioner or upgrading technical equipment.
She also said the grants have to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the recipient’s organization and may be used only for the renovation, construction and acquisition of cultural facilities. The grant can’t be used for operating costs or other expenses like payroll and overhead.
“These are all important things, but they’re not big enough (in dollar amount) to justify a capital campaign. Some of the projects are for enhancements that are critically needed,” said Crane.
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens received a grant of $23,878, not to help bring a world-renowned exhibit to Northeast Florida, but to replace the roof above the Stein Gallery and the Uible Loggia.
“We’re very concerned about the building and the physical wellbeing of the artwork we hold in the public trust,” said Museum Director Maarten van de Guchte.
He added while it’s one thing to find a benefactor for an exciting exhibit or a highly-visible enhancement like a gallery, finding the money to pay for more mundane things like a leaky roof or plumbing or to fix a broken window can be a challenge.
“Private donors are not the primary source of funding for repairs,” he said.
Van de Guchte is concerned that the effects of across-the-board budget cuts will have a much more wide-ranging effect than a new roof and he and his colleagues realize they have to band together to respond to the situation.
“We are all very concerned about the trickle-down effect and how it may diminish the inalienable rights of citizens to be able to enjoy the arts, culture and health and safety. These things make up the quality of life.
“There is a great solidarity among the agencies faced with budget cuts. We’re all working together to say (to city leaders) ‘be very careful what you enact’. We have to be concerned about the impact now and in the future. This is not a one-time issue,” he said.
Another organization that may have just seen the last of its funding from the City is WJCT Public Broadcasting. The station received $24,958 to upgrade its local radio production facilities.
President and CEO Michael Boylan said losing City funds will mean the station will have to find a new source for 7 percent of its annual budget.
“Ours is a capital-intensive business, especially with the federal mandate to convert to digital television broadcasting. It’s a huge impact for us because we get more than $400,000 a year from City grants.”
Boylan also said the amount of funding WJCT gets from other government sources depends on the station’s level of local financial support, so while some organizations are concerned that losing funding will have a trickle-down effect, he’s also dealing with the “trickle-up.”
“The Public Broadcasting System looks at how successful we are in obtaining local funding. We leverage the money we get from the City to get funding on the state and federal level.”
In addition to expenses involved with buying and installing new equipment, WJCT will also soon be faced with an increase in programming cost.
“PBS has already notified us of a 9 percent increase and we expect the same from National Public Radio, so we’re going to be down in revenue while up in expenses,” said Boylan.
While eliminating nationally-produced programs would be a last resort, Boylan said the loss of support from the City will likely lead to more on-air fund drives and the timing of the projected budgetary shortfall couldn’t be worse.
“Ironically, we’ll be celebrating our 50th anniversary on the air in Jacksonville in September 2008. We’re calling this our mid-life crisis,” he said.
Like all organizations, the Cultural Council won’t know the full effects of the budget cuts on the next fiscal year’s funding until next month when the budget is presented. In the meantime, Crane said it feels like they’re getting ready for hurricane season.
“We’re hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. This may be the end of the Capital Program funds.”