Opera House, Expo Center funding splits council votes

• Reprints

Interior of the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso Tuesday Oct. 4, 2011. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 26, 2012 8:16AM

VALPARAISO — Much of what was on the agenda for the Porter County Council’s meeting Tuesday was pushed back until next month, so council members have more time to go through the pertinent particulars of department budgets.

But what remained generated plenty of heat, including budget matters involving the Memorial Opera House and the Porter County Expo Center; Brian Shafer serves as manager for the Expo Center and the executive producer and business director for the Opera House.

The council split 4-3 on two votes involving staffing and budget transfers for the two county-owned facilities. The Opera House will now have full-time marketing and creative directors, and will share an administrative assistant with the Expo Center.

Jim Biggs, R-1st District; Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd District; and Jim Polarek, R-4th District, voted against both measures.

They cited the county’s budget concerns and questioned whether the county should be involved in running arts and entertainment facilities. Biggs questioned Shafer about his budget, his salary — he makes more than $70,000 a year for heading both facilities, though he is paid as contractor for his work at the Opera House — and his staff.

“You’re doing a great job,” Rivas said, going on to say Shafer is growing business at both facilities, which the county shouldn’t be involved in.

“We’re wondering how we’re going to fund 911, and we’re talking about $250,000 for the arts,” added Biggs, noting CEDIT funding the Opera House received at the end of last year to provide the salaries and much-needed repairs at the facility.

Councilwoman Laura Blaney, D-At-Large, said the council approved that funding, though members split then as they did Tuesday on the matter, and the disagreements were much the same.

And the matter again sparked discussion about supporting the arts.

“I think a fundamental part of government is funding the arts,” said Council President Dan Whitten, D-At-large, adding the Memorial Opera House helps drive economic development.