Davis-Shai House future cloudy

HEATH - As a part of Heath's cultured history, the Davis-Shai House continues to face monetary challenges.

Earlier this month, Heath Community Arts Council Board President Park Shai came before the Parks, Recreation and Davis-Shai House committee to report that the HCAC would have enough money to operate into early May, but after that, they would be facing difficulties with their current financial situation.

During the meeting, an invoice totalling $14,000 from the HCAC to the city was discussed. The council is trying to claim that the city owes it money for upkeep of the property.

"The invoice covers the cost of the maintenance performed during the year the city didn't forward the bed tax funds," Park Shai said. "(The city) should pay (the council) back because the house is city property, and the city maintains its property."

Heath Mayor Mark Johns said that it is unclear what items in the invoice would be considered the city's obligation.

"In recent years, the arts council has started maintaining the house and the property's on its own," he said. "Had the city known it was going to be billed, it would have used employees from the parks department in order to keep the cost down."

An ordinance passed by the city in 2002 required that the city pay the HCAC $75,000 or 95% of the city's bed tax, whichever is higher. However, a 2014 ordinance reduced the amount of money the council would get to $225,000 for three years, or $75,000 annually.

In May, however, Heath voters repealed that decision. The city hadn't paid the arts council any of the promised funds as it waited on the referendum's outcome.

Now, the cost of running a cultural center has caught up to the HCAC, and Shai said that the venue is generating money as best as it can while also saving money.

"We're still hosting weddings, graduation parties and some businesses have used us as a neutral meeting place," he said, adding that the Davis-Shai House has had the most bookings on record this year.

Currently,the HCAC only employs four permanent employees, which is down from the eight previously managing the property. Two of those employees work part-time.

It has also given up its liquor license using a temporary license when needed and that cost is passed onto the users. It's a cheaper solution, Shai said, but not an easier one.

He added the HCAC is also looking at grants to help with its costs, while also doing more to promote the four events required by the city per the agreement between it and the arts council.

Both the city and the HCAC are looking for long-term solutions. Johns said that the city council has had conversations with the HCAC's board and that the city has an interest in what will happen.

"We're working with them to craft a solution," he said. "So far, the meetings have been informative and healthy."

blawlis@gannett.com

740-328-8822

Twitter: @BarrettLawlis