Arlington Hts. board split on funds for Metropolis
Arlington Heights will give the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre $300,000 for a reserve fund, the village board decided Monday night, with President Arlene Mulder breaking a rare 4-4 tie.
Most of the four trustees who voted against the grant said they would support it if village control over its spending were added.
The money will come from the Arts & Entertainment fund, which is raised with a one-quarter percent sales tax on restaurant meals.
The $75,000 the village loaned the theater last fall will not be repaid, meaning the village will turn over only $225,000 for the reserve fund.
Trustee Thomas Glasgow led the push for the reserve, saying he has great faith in Charlie Beck, who became theater’s executive director in November.
“Supporting the arts is one of the most important functions of government, dating back to Greek and Roman times,” Glasgow said. “If we don’t do it, nobody else is going to do it. I truly believe that you guys (Metropolis) are an economic engine that brings in life to this downtown business district.”
Trustees Mike Sidor, Carol Blackwood and Thomas Hayes also voted for the reserve fund. Joseph Farwell, Norman Breyer, John Scaletta and Bert Rosenberg opposed it.
The board also agreed to raise the center’s annual operating subsidy and capital outlay budget each by 3 percent. The subsidy, also from the Arts & Entertainment Fund, has been $150,000, down from the $250,000 originally agreed to when the village purchased part of the building that houses the theater. The capital budget will increase to $31,000 annually.
Rosenberg pointed out that Beck plans to increase the center’s income almost $1 million in the fiscal year starting May 1, from $2.7 million to $3.7 million. And Beck’s budget calls for spending most of that.
Beck said this fiscal year the theater had 53 shows, including ones he added after taking the helm. He plans 153 next year, not all of them blockbusters. However, at least in the coming year he will also increase the amount spent on marketing, hoping that expense can taper off in future years.
Beck also hopes to raise more money through efforts such as selling naming rights to the theater and persuading a few families to pledge $1,000 or more each month for support.
The price of most tickets and classes will increase 3 percent.