LAKE WALES — During its October 1 City Commission workshop, Lake Wales officials discussed proposed renewals of the lease and operational agreements with the Lake Wales History Museum, which would continue the city’s long-standing support for the museum at $175,000 per year over a new three-year term.
City staff presented revised drafts of both agreements, which outline a continuing partnership between the City of Lake Wales and the nonprofit Lake Wales History Museum, Inc. The agreements cover management of the city-owned historic sites, including the 1928 ACL Railroad Depot, 1920 Crystal Lodge, and the Mimi Hardman Collections and Research Center .
According to the city’s memorandum, the renewal proposal maintains the same annual funding level as in the previous contract. A previous request appeared to ask for $200,000, but has since been revised. Commissioners requested additional measurable goals and reporting standards. Those measurable outcomes are expected to be added before the agreement returns for a formal vote.
The operational draft specifies quarterly progress reports detailing attendance, programming, fundraising, and social-media engagement . The museum would also continue hosting the annual Pioneer Days Festival and overseeing day-to-day operations and maintenance of the historic facilities.
While commissioners reviewed the documents at the October 1 workshop, the item does not appear on the October 7 City Commission meeting agenda as of publication.
At this time, Lake Wales Daily is reaching out to both the Lake Wales History Museum and city commissioners to gather additional information on the proposed changes and timeline for consideration.
If approved in the coming weeks, the proposed new three-year agreement would renew the city’s annual grant and preserve the public-private partnership that helps maintain the city’s key historical landmarks. However, it appears the length of the agreement may be another factor for discussion also. The city may want a year to year agreement going forward.
