Authorizing the Mayor to submit to the Institute of Museum Services a grant application for general operating support monies for Discovery Hall

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V. Financial Management What is the quality of the museum's financial management? In the answer, the applicant should discuss the museum's procedures for financial planning and control (e.g:, budgeting, forecasting, accounting, etc.). The applicant should also describe the relationship between the museum's current budget and the institution's financial history, and give an assessment of the museum's financial strengths and weaknesses highlighting those steps which are being taken to ensure the soundness of the museum's current and future financial positions. Discovery Hall is a department of the City of South Bend and is subject to all of the financial management procedures in force for all city departments. In addi- tion, the museum has just been placed under the direction of the Century Center Board of Managers in order to provide a better working and fiscal relationship with Century Center, the museum's parent organization. By making this change, duplication es- pecially in maintenance and administrative procedures will be eliminated. Until now Discovery Hall's financial support has come primarily fron an annual appropriation from the City Council. Discovery Hall's director; in cooperation with the director of Century Center, the Presidents of the Century Center Board of Managers and Discovery Hall Associates, The Mayor, City Controller and City Council; should begin to explore additional means of support for the museum and its expanding pro- grams. With transportation becoming more expensive, local residents will require additional educational and recreational programs in their home community. The museum's budget is prepared by the Director in consultation with his super- iors and is approved by the South Bend Common Council. The museum's 1977 appropriatior from the Council was $37,000. The regular appropriations for 1978 -1980 have been 110,000 each year. In 1979 two special appropriations were passed: $5,500 for rent on the museum's storage facility and $179,000 for exhibit construction. Discovery Hall also receives some funding from Discovery Hall Associates, a private not - for - profit corporation. Discovery Hall Associates funds, which are gen- erated by the museums' gift counter and memberships, largely go toward collections acquisitions. These funds are audited by Discovery Hall Associates, which reports to the City. Discovery Hall Museum, in its present form has been operating for about 3 years. (May be continued on following page) 19