The Bemidji City Council approved the Sanford Center budget, their budget and levy last night.
Executive Director of the Sanford Center Tiffany Vickaryous Hubbard was on hand to answer questions, and to present a budget with more line items than what was presented two weeks ago.
The Sanford Center budget passed with two voting against it; Ward 2 Council Member Mike Beard voting against as did Ward 3 Council Member Ron Johnson.
Beard expressed that the numbers presented in the proposed budget were too conservative.
Ward 1 Council Member Michael Meehlhause said that it is not only VenuWork’s responsibility to market main events, such as BSU hockey.
The Sanford Center expects to operate at a $3,600 net loss, after an anticipated annual city investment of $450,000 to prevent further shortfall.
The city’s final 2020 tax levy of $6.12 million was approved unanimously, as was the final 2020 budget, which passed with six votes, with Ward 5 Council Member Nancy Erickson voting against it.
