Council approves emergency funding to replace failed Capitol Theatre chiller

The council approved an emergency budget adjustment to fund replacement of a failed chiller at the Capitol Theatre. Staff said the Arts & Culture Division requested $1.67 million from its fund balance: $270,000 would cover an emergency rental chiller through the fall and $1.4 million would fund purchase and installation with installation targeted for November.

Council members asked whether the money was already set aside in the arts fund and expressed support because the failed system was causing operational problems for performers. The item passed on a motion after staff confirmed the funds come from the Arts & Culture fund balance and noted the division had matched state and NEA grant awards to support arts programming in the county.