By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The role of government, especially during a budget crunch, played out this week as the Bloomington City Council decided to work with private partners to help fund the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

The city government entered into an agreement with the group called Friends of the BCPA to help fund the hiring of a fundraising director, a position which hasn’t been filled for years.

The Friends group agrees to contribute $20,000 by spring of 2020, with the amount increasing each year, peaking at $100,000 by 2024.

The fundraising director’s salary will be $65,000, not including benefits.

Alderman Diana Hauman said she likes the arts, but it’s a low priority given that city leaders have struggled to fill a $2.9 million budget hole.

“We have roads that need to be fixed. We have a pool that needs to be replaced,” Hauman said. “Where do we draw the line and say we can not be all things to all people?”

Alderman David Sage also voted against the agreement.

Mayor Tari Renner agreed the BCPA is not high on the priority list, but that’s why the city is getting help from the private sector.

“We do not have Friends of the Sewers. We do not have Friends of Paramedics. We fund those things,” the mayor said. “Here, we’re looking for a broader range of things.”

Alderman Amelia Buragas, who backs the partnership, said the city should not underfund community assets like the BCPA.

“It does not make the community better. It does not allow us to bring in new residents. It does not allow us to bring in new jobs,” said Buragas.

“Unfortunately, I think the BCPA has been underfunded for a while, and I think it is missing out on opportunities becaused it hasn’t reached its fullest potential,” Buragas also said.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].