Madison’s Common Council approved the $267.1 million 2013 Operating Budget, which grants the Overture Center for the Arts $1.75 million in city funds and does not raise bus fares.
Before Council voted on the overall budget, members approved in a 16-4 vote a set of amendments, introduced by Council President Shiva Bidar-Sielaff and President Pro Tem Chris Schmidt.
Included in the Council Leadership package is an amendment which grants an additional $900,000 to what was originally designated to Overture, for a total of $1.75 million.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, who also serves as an Overture Center Foundation board member, said he is “thrilled” with the city’s “renewed financial commitment for the Overture Center.”
Soglin’s set of separate bundled amendments would have granted $1.35 million to Overture, with $850,000 of the funding contingent on other sources.
The city is also using $91 million in borrowed funds for 2013, which is a decrease from past years, according to Verveer. But Soglin said he is concerned with the city’s use of premium and borrowed funds.
“We can’t do everything for everyone,” Soglin said. “I’m fearful we don’t have our priorities straight.”
One of the issues with Overture funding, according to Soglin, is the lack of transparency with how the arts center will use city funding.
Other groups the city funds, such as Mentoring Positives, a mentoring program in Dane County, provide their full budget, “and the [city knows] what every cent goes for,” Soglin said.
While the city granted Overture $1.75 million, Ald. Matthew Phair, District 20, said debating funding for the arts center each year is “ridiculous.”
“Doing this every year is not sustainable for the staff of Overture,” Phair said. “I don’t feel like they should come and beg for money each year.”
Council members also approved an amendment which will keep the adult cash bus fare rate at $2.00 for 2013.
If bus fares had been increased for 2013, the price for student bus passes, provided by segregated fees through a contract between the Associated Students of Madison and Metro Transit, would have increased when the university’s contracts expire.
