Vernon County Historical Society urges restoration of funding as supervisors cite budget shortfalls

Representatives of the Vernon County Historical Society urged the Vernon County Finance Committee on Jan. 20 to restore funding the group says was cut from the county budget.

Dian Krause told the committee the Historical Society is concerned about a reduction in county support and said there appears to be misunderstanding about who the Society is and which parts of the county it represents. Brian Ekkert described recent fundraising efforts and sought to counter the notion that the museum does not represent the whole county.

Supervisor John Pedretti acknowledged the Society’s importance but said the funding reduction was made because the county had budget shortfalls and that several items were cut to balance the county budget. Pedretti said the Society is asking for restored funding but must also pursue its own measures to address the shortfall.

No formal motion to restore funding was recorded in the minutes. The committee’s response was limited to discussion; the matter may be raised again at future meetings or in full Board deliberations.