As Seminole commissioners delve into the finances of the Seminole Cultural Arts Council this week, supporters of the non-profit group fear their organization may no longer be able to provide grants, programs and school events that promote the arts if their county funding is cut or eliminated.

“The organization would cease to exist,” said Anthony Aramendia, president of the SCAC executive board and a Casselberry city commissioner.

But county Commissioner Amy Lockhart countered that no one on the commission “has ever talked about cutting funding for the arts.”

Rather, she said and other commissioners want to see how much of the $73,483 requested by the Cultural Arts Council for this fiscal year will be spent on programs compared to administrative costs.

County commissioners had approved the same amount of funding for the last fiscal year — which ended Sept. 30 — without discussion.

“It wasn’t until this year that we noticed that the bulk of the funds were being given to administrative overhead,” Lockhart said. She said the organization’s budget offers scant information.

For years, Seminole has given tens of thousands of dollars annually to SCAC, which sponsors art, cultural and history programs. For example, it supports a summer art camp for children, a theater camp for seniors, and exhibits at the county’s historical museum. It also provides art supplies to schools and exhibits for local artists.

But last month, commissioners held off approving SCAC’s funding request until Tuesday’s meeting so they could dive into details on how the taxpayer money is being spent.

“Our goal is to make artists [and] students have the funds and not the bureaucracy, ” Lockhart said. “My desire is that if we’re giving money to any organization, we get to say how it is being used.”

Deborah Bauer, who was hired about two years ago as SCAC’s executive director, is the only employee of the Cultural Arts Council who collects a salary, at about $40,000 a year without benefits. Bauer did not return calls for comment.

Commissioner Lee Constantine said he also wants to look at SCAC’s funding.

“I’m a supporter of the organization. I think the arts are one of the things that make Seminole County special and improve the quality of life for our citizens,” he said. “But we always want to look at economies and efficiencies [with public money].”

He acknowledged that an organization needs an experienced person to run the operation.

“You cannot expect qualified people to do the work and not get the availability of a living wage,” said Constantine, who founded the non-profit Charity Challenge, which raised millions of dollars for charities.

Kimberly McCue, president of the Parent Teacher Student Association for Lake Howell High School, said the organization’s funds have been used for the school’s Winter Arts Festival, which showcases student musicians.

“The arts build confidence for students,” McCue said in support of the county funding. “For some students, it keeps them engaged.”

But in an email to Commission Chair Andria Herr, Oviedo resident Bill Hyde said the county should look to spend less overall, especially after commissioners agreed last year to hike tax rates on property, gas and utilities.

“SCAC does not feed the hungry, cure the ill, provide education or house the homeless,” Hyde said in his email. “In essence, there is no tangible benefit to residents.”

If commissioners decide to cut some of SCAC’s funding, or redirect some of the money now used for administrative expenses toward art programs, the organization may have to hold more fundraisers.

But that would be tough, Aramendia said.

Last fiscal year’s total fundraising income was $16,976, including the Taste of the Arts Gala, which garnered $15,277; and the Art of Bowling event, which brought in $1,539, according to a budget document.

“We really do not have the monetary support from our citizens as we would be hopeful for,” Aramendia said. “Whenever people think of contributing to the arts and culture, they think of Orange County and Orlando, which have so many different resources. We’re trying to do the best we can with as little funds we have.”

Tuesday’s county meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. in the commission chamber at 1101 E. First St., Sanford.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/01/26/arts-supporters-fear-seminole-commission-may-cut-funding/