FEBRUARY 23, 2010

Agenda Item No. 14

Introduced by the County Services and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A FUND TRANSFER

TO THE POTTER PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

RESOLUTION #10-043

WHEREAS, the electorate of Ingham County overwhelmingly approved the millage proposal in November of  2006 to fund the operation and improvement of Potter Park and the Potter Park Zoo; and

WHEREAS, the Potter Park Zoological Society is a private, 501c(3) nonprofit, fundraising organization that raises funds to support the Zoo; and

WHEREAS, in that capacity the Zoological Society supports: Educational Programming, the Docent Association, the Teen Zookeeper Program, Special Events, and the Zookambi Summer Camp; and  

WHEREAS, the Zoological Society operates on a $900,000 budget, over $600,000 of this is spent on supporting the Potter Park Zoo through educational programming, special events, operating costs, and capital improvements; and 

WHEREAS, the Potter Park Zoological Society Board of Directors is comprised of 16 enthusiastic community leaders; and

WHEREAS, a society staff representative or member of the Potter Park Zoological Society Board and two members of the Potter Park Zoo Board compose a Potter Park Zoo Public Relations and Marketing sub-committee to raise community awareness and interest in the Potter Park Zoo; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners approved the transfer of $40,000 from the proceeds of the Potter Park Zoo Millage to the Potter Park Zoological Society for 2009 marketing purposes; and

WHEREAS, the Potter Park Zoological Society Board has approved within the 2010 Zoological Society Budget $20,000 for promotion and printing; and

WHEREAS, the Potter Park Zoological Society has agreed to supply the County with invoices detailing spending of these funds on a monthly basis, and the zoo staff will provide a marketing expense report to the Potter Park Zoo Board on a monthly basis; and

WHEREAS, the Potter Park Zoo Board and the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend the Board of Commissioners authorize the transfer of $60,000, to be used by the Potter Park Zoological Society for 2010 marketing purposes.

FEBRUARY 23, 2010

Agenda Item No. 14

RESOLUTION #10-043

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners approves a transfer of $60,000 from the proceeds of the Potter Park Zoo Millage to be used by the Potter Park Zoological Society for 2010 marketing purposes as designated by the Potter Park Zoo Public Relations and Marketing Committee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners authorizes the County Attorney to prepare the necessary documents.

COUNTY SERVICES:  Yeas:  Copedge, Schor, Celentino, Grebner, McGrain, Vickers

     Nays:  None     Absent:  None          Approved  2/16/10

FINANCE:  Yeas:  Grebner, Tennis, Bahar-Cook, Schor, Holman, Dougan

     Nays:  None     Absent:  None          Approved  2/17/10