KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Finance Committee voted Wednesday to give the American Jazz Museum $250,000 for operating expenses.
The museum's financial woes came to light following it's Jazz and Heritage Concert which had low attendance because of rain. Some concert performers were not paid and the city had to intervene and provide the payment.
This new $250,000 is to help meet salaries and utility payments through the end of this year.
A plan to have the Kansas City Parks Board assume control of the museum was removed from consideration, but a study will be conducted to review the museum's business practices.
Quinton Lucas, Kansas City, City Council member, also serves on the board of the Jazz Museum. Councilman Lucas said the museum is making changes to get back on solid financial footing.
"I think its fair to say there were some other administrative challenges and there have been changes. We've seen staff departures in the time since... They're really trying to get their books straight," Lucas said.
The councilman said Kansas City staffers will conduct a thorough review of the American Jazz Museum's financial and business practices to determine what changes need to happen to turn the museum into a self-sustaining entity.
Lucas said everything will examined.
"Travel for folks; what we're paying to bring in speakers and that sort of thing. I mean there's going to be a real analysis of how do we make sure that we're spending responsibly and make sure we don't find ourselves in this position again," Lucas said.
