Lake Wales extends museum contract to year-end amid concerns over performance and deliverables

The City of Lake Wales commission debated the History Museum's operation and lease agreement at length and voted to extend the current contract through Dec. 31 to allow staff and commissioners time to draft measurable deliverables and, if necessary, seek alternative operators.

Commissioner Miller questioned the museum's limited public hours (25 hours per week), apparent shortfalls in staffing and fundraising and what she described as repeated, unchanged presentations that produced limited results. "I can't vote yes for this, number one, because I feel like this needs to be corrected," Commissioner Miller said, citing a discrepancy in the agreement that listed $200,000 in one place and $175,000 in another and concerns about insurance language. Other commissioners defended the museum's historical mission and the city's longstanding financial support, noting the museum originally operated as a city function and now serves as a visitor and history resource.

Deputy Mayor Thompson proposed extending the contract to the end of the calendar year and holding a structured review during that time, including the possibility of issuing an RFP for operations. The motion to extend the current contract to Dec. 31 carried on a roll-call vote: Thompson (Yes), Miller (Yes), Williams (No), Gillespie (No), Mayor Hilgoth (Yes), resulting in a 3'2 outcome. Commissioners requested clarity in contract language (remove the erroneous $200,000 figure, correct insurance items) and asked staff to include measurable deliverables tied to payments and a timetable for returning with recommendations.