For years, Seminole County has given tens of thousands of dollars annually to the Seminole Cultural Arts Council, a non-profit organization that offers grants, programs and events that promote the arts, especially for schoolchildren.
But after facing blowback this year for hiking taxes on property, gas and utilities, county commissioners this week decided to hold off on approving $73,483 for the arts organization, or SCAC, for this fiscal year so that they can get more details on how the public money is spent.
“I’m incredibly supportive of the arts,” Commissioner Amy Lockhart said. “There are multiple studies that show that a community that has cultural public arts programs thrives. But I want to make sure that we are using taxpayer dollars as best we can.”
She and other commissioners said the budget information provided to them about SCAC was not clear about how much of the total public money is going to grants and supporting the arts.
Commissioners then voted to take the item off the consent agenda and discuss the funding further at the board’s Jan. 27 meeting.
“I also have very similar questions,” Commissioner Jay Zembower said before the vote. “For me, it’s more about seeing financial documents.”
Last September, Seminole commissioners approved hiking the overall property tax rate by 10.2%. The new rate will bring in an estimated $44 million in additional revenue.
This came a month after commissioners agreed to add five cents to the price of a gallon of gasoline sold in the county and raise Seminole’s public service tax on water and electric bills in the unincorporated areas in January from the current 4% to 10%. The revenue would be used to pay for roads, parks, public safety and other services.
Seminole gave SCAC $50,000 each year in fiscal years 2022/23 and 2023/24, according to budget documents. Last fiscal year, the county handed out $73,483 to the organization in quarterly installments through the year.
Parents, artists, a historian and a School Board member spoke in favor of the cultural arts funding at the Dec. 9 meeting and urged commissioners not to eliminate it.
“Yes, let’s have accountability. But don’t take it [funding] away from the arts,” said Sharyn Battey, PTA president of Sterling Park Elementary School in Casselberry.
Kimberly McCue of Fern Park, president of the PTSA of Lake Howell High School, pointed out the funding helps pay for an annual winter arts festival that showcases young musicians, performers and artists.
“For many students, this is the first time their work is being celebrated publicly outside the classroom. That moment matters for them,” she said. “These opportunities help students feel seen, valued and encouraged to keep creating.”
Others said the art programs help shy students build confidence and engage with their peers.
“From visual arts to culinary arts to architecture to graphic design, I could go on and on and on as to how it has helped our children feel valued,” School Board member Abby Sanchez said. “It has helped them build self esteem.”
But Oviedo resident Bill Hyde — who said he supports the arts — criticized the amount of money being handed out, and how it’s being used by the organization.
“A few months ago this board increased my taxes quite a bit; not once, not twice, but three times,” he said. “And all I heard was: We can’t cut anything. We’re spending all your money as close to the bone as we possibly can.”
