Butler County commissioners and Rodgers Theatre Inc. (RTI) board members met Wednesday for an in-depth discussion regarding ownership of the former movie house and adjoining properties that make up the 200 block of North Broadway. For the second year in a row, the county is citing a tight budget as its motive for attempting to relinquish ownership of the building.
However, according to a legal and binding contractual agreement signed in January 2000, the county's options are limited until Dec. 31, 2099. The lease grants RTI the exclusive use of the theater while the county pays for utilities and insurance coverage. In turn, RTI must oversee maintenance and repairs for the theater, former drug store and exterior marquee.
RTI President Wally Duncan said the county spends less than half of 1 percent of its total budget on the theater. Since this time last year, Duncan said RTI has reduced utility expenses by $8,000, nearly one-fourth of 2016's overall costs which neared $40,000.
"That should show you that we are working and making an effort and we are continuing to do that." Duncan said. "We are committed to trying to work and bring the cost down."
Lampe said in the 17 years since the county signed the contract, he has not seen improvements made to the theater. RTI board members Brent Davis and Ben Traxel responded with a list of events held at the Rodgers, and cited multiple improvements paid for by the organization.
Improvements include renovation of the former drug store, carpeting and door updates, concession stand renovation, LED lighting upgrades, HVAC and extensive plumbing updates.
"We've been trying to get the basics done just to keep it an inhabitable building," Traxel said. "It's not the things you drive by and see. That's what we're trying to get to."
According to the contract, the county is only able to cancel if it can prove the premises has not been used by RTI for a continuous period of one year.
Lampe said the county will take into consideration everything brought forth by RTI before making a decision. Due to restrictions outlined in the contract, the county's only option would be to list the property for sale, which Lampe said has been discussed. If the county were to find a buyer, the lease agreement would stay with the building.
Eastern District Commissioner Butch Anderson said the recent actions of the Poplar Bluff City Council to move city hall to Barron Road, do not reflect support of Downtown Poplar Bluff and he feels the county is "wasting taxpayer money."
"Where's the city on this? What's the city doing about maintaining downtown? We could have a beautiful downtown, but what are they doing? They're running away from it. What are they doing with the Rodgers? They're running away from it and its been dumped on us," said Anderson, adding that he thinks the property should be in "someone else's name."
"The county took it from Keresotas Theatres (in 1998)," Duncan said. "We feel like we're on the right path and we're not trying to be confrontational, but we're trying to impress on you that we are living up to our half of the agreement. We're showing you everything we've done through the years."
Lampe said the county is going on three years of no raises for employees and the theater is a liability.
"We know you're in a pinch," said Traxel, who detailed RTI's plans for future improvements with money from an extensive fund raising campaign in the spring. "We're making progress slowly through this and with that comes more activity to the building. More activity to the building brings more people in."