Metropolis funding formally approved
The Arlington Heights village board on Monday formally approved $450,000 in additional funding for Metropolis Performing Arts Centre to keep the theater open through the end of the fiscal year while officials look for a better plan to theater in the future.
The board discussed the funding at a committee of the whole meeting last week and on Monday the vote was again 7-2 with Trustees Carol Blackwood and Mike Sidor voting against the funding measure.
"This is not a no vote for continued operations of the theater," Blackwood said. "I would like to see efficiencies and I would like to see oversight."
The funding comes with string attached, including the fact that Village Finance Director Tom Kuehne will have to review Metropolis' receipts before releasing the money. All money given to Metropolis comes from funds collected through the village's food & beverage tax.
"This was a great step in the right direction, but it's just the first step," said Mayor Tom Hayes.
Hayes said he is also forming a Metropolis Oversight committee with two trustees, two members of the Metropolis board and two village staff members.