Letter to the editor: Stop overfunding MAHA

On Monday, Sept. 23, Council will finalize the millage rate to be paid by Maitland property owners next year.

On Sept. 9, responding to the mayor’s request for feedback, 285 citizens signed a petition saying they did not want taxes increased and urged that council follow the city funding policy stated in Resolution 6-92: “…focus on programs that are most appropriate to a small city –water, sewer, garbage, police/fire/EMT protection, parks and recreation, maintenance of city assets and general government…” Donations to non-profit organizations should be “limited.”

Council wants to fund the Maitland Art and History Association (MAHA) [with] $335,000. By limiting A&H’s funding to $267,500 consistent with its promise to be independent in five years during the 2012 lease negotiations, the funds released would fill currently frozen critical city staff positions and reduce the tax increase.

Mayor Schieferdecker and Councilman Valdes ignored the main thrust of the petitioners and tried to discredit them by arguing that the tax increase was not to fund MAHA or Performing Arts of Maitland but rather to fund critical staff positions and other essential services. These diversionary tactics are extremely disappointing and insult those who gave feedback believing it was requested with sincerity.

Because the city has already agreed to give MAHA a 51-year evergreen lease, its only tool left for challenging MAHA to perform is funding. This should be used with deliberate conviction.

Here are three objective measures showing that MAHA’s funding is too high and should be cut to its promised level:

1. The city has donated $7.2 million to its art and history associations since 1997. In 2014 alone, 5 percent of the city’s 2014 property tax revenues will go to this single organization. This is just too high.

2. Maitland’s average per capita contribution to MAHA for 2007-2011 was more than $30 per year – the highest per capita of 11 similar-sized cities surveyed in Central Florida. Winter Park was the second highest and its contribution was only $3! Paying 10 times more than Winter Park is just too high.

3. MAHA’s own 2012 data show only 113 Maitland residents are members. This is a 27 percent decline from 2011. Residents appear to be losing confidence and running away from MAHA. Contributing $3,760 per Maitland member is just too high!
   

If you feel your tax dollars are not being used prudently and with full accountability, don’t just sit and grumble! Tell your Council to stop the bleeding at once and do it now.

Brij Seth, PhD, FASM