Madison County Board members approved a resolution seeking to dissolve the county’s 97-year relationship with the Madison County Historical Museum and Archival Library in a mutual agreement.
“The County Board determines that public necessity and convenience require the termination of the lease and operating agreement … effective November 30, 2021,” the resolution states.
“The County Board further appropriates and approves the expenditure of $300,000 to MCHS in full and final satisfaction of any and all financial obligations the County has to MCHS pursuant to the agreement, provided MCHS approves and executes a general and mutual release and termination of the agreement,” it continues.
During the Sept. 15 meeting, a board member asked what led to the resolution. Community Development Administrator Dave Tanzyus said both parties supported the decision.
“Actually, there’s two things at play,” Tanzyus said. “Many of the individuals on the county board did not want to continue on with the relationship. The museum had also come and approached several board members about terminating the relationship, and this is where we’re at.”
Board member Erica Harriss thanked Superintendent John Parkin and his staff for doing a great job and their continued hard work.
“He has done an excellent job, so I just want to make sure that it’s not construed that there’s anything negative there,” she said.
Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler explained in a press release that the historical society, which leases the museum and library property to the county, approached the county wanting to end the relationship.
“The historical society wants to go in a new direction,” Prenzler stated. “This is a savings for the taxpayers and everyone wins.”
Prenzler added that the tax levy collected for the museum will be “zeroed” out beginning in 2022. The museum’s current tax levy was $105,962.
“The county will collect 2021 taxes in 2022 and after that the levy will no longer appear on property tax bills,” he stated.
The press release states that the county board designated a room in the courthouse for the society’s historical collection in 1924. Then in 1963, the historical society purchased the Weir House located on N. Main in Edwardsville and began renovations. The county board voted to create a tax levy for operating the museum.
The museum moved from the courthouse to the Weir House on Nov. 1, 1964, to accommodate the society’s growing historical collection.
Then in April 1975, Madison County approved its first lease with the historical society. The county leases the museum property from the society, collects the taxes for the operation and maintenance of the facilities, and pays for museum personnel salaries and benefits.
The county currently budgets approximately $250,000 per year for the museum.
The current lease, which is set to conclude on Nov. 30, was signed by the county in June 2009.
On July 1, 2016, the society closed the Weir House to replace the roof. It has remained closed since that time as the property continues to undergo renovations and repairs.