JANESVILLE — Tallman House supporters say a cut in the city subsidy to the historic property comes at the wrong time as volunteers are reinventing the organization and have new fundraising momentum.
The city council during a recent budget study session voted to halve the approximate $61,000 subsidy to the Tallman House.
The city owns the Tallman House and nearby Stone House, and the Rock County Historical Society runs the properties.
Phil Schauer, a member of the historical society board, said salaries to run the Tallman House total about $35,000; utilities are about $15,000, and maintenance, insurance, advertising and printing total about $10,000.
That total—about $60,000—is more than the city subsidy, he said.
"We don't have excess funding, we don't have a lot of money floating along," Schauer said. "We do a lot with volunteers. We're trying to reinvent ourselves.
"We want to be a part of things going on in Janesville."
Duke Ellingson, president of the historical society board, said the board realizes the council must keep property taxes down during tough economic times.
But the historical society, too, is looking for ways to reduce its budget and cut services. It's investigating funding alternatives, he said.
Ellingson noted that Janesville has been chosen as one of three sites in Wisconsin to hold bicentennial celebrations marking Abraham Lincoln's birthday. That's important for Janesville's image and to attract tourism money, he said.
The board also plans to expand the Tallman Arts Festival from one day to two days and to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's visit to Janesville on Oct. 1 and 2.
Tim Maahs, secretary, noted the increase in people who attended this summer's historic home tour—from 207 in 2007 to 600 this year. Next year's tour will be in the Jefferson-Bostwick area, he said.
"There was great momentum generated by that one event," Maahs said. "I'm very concerned that momentum will be impacted by cuts."
The board wants to strengthen its relationship with the city,
With GM closing, "it's time to look at ways to reinvent who we are," Maahs said.
"I think the historical society can help us get there."
WHAT'S NEXT
The Janesville City Council will meet for its third study session on the 2009 budget at 6 p.m. Wednesday in City Hall. Monday's public hearing was continued to Monday, Nov. 24, when the council is scheduled to hear more from the community before voting on the budget.