Museum bond advocacy group reports $7K in expenses

Almost $17,000 was spent in July and August in support of the bond issue voters approved last week to finance construction of a 7,000-square-foot exhibition gallery at Mid-America Science Museum, according to a report filed last week with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

The Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead campaign committee successfully advocated for passage of the ballot question voters approved in the Sept. 11 special election by an official margin of 1,003-520, according to the Garland County Election Commission’s certification of the results Friday.

The vote authorized the city to issue $2 million in capital improvement bonds secured by the existing 3-percent sales tax the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion

Commission levies on prepared food and lodging inside the city.

June, July and August financial reports showed the advocacy campaign led by many of the museum’s board members and administrative staff raised $25,000, including a $10,000 donation from the Hot Springs Fifty for the Future Political Action Committee July 7.

The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce contributed $10,000 May 31, and Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Inc., the Little Rock advertising firm that is the ad commission’s marketing contractor, contributed $5,000 the same day.

The ad commission owns the museum, and an independent board of directors operates it.

The $6,000 consulting fee paid to 61 Celsius was the biggest expense reported in July, followed by $3,562 for print materials and the purchase and assembly of outdoor signs. The $6,688 paid for print advertising was the largest expense reported in August, followed by $385 for printing and postage and $148 for yard signs.

The campaign reported a more than $8,000 balance at the end of last month. The financial report for September is due Oct. 15.

Museum Executive Director Diane LaFollette said more than 60 volunteers worked on the campaign, some of whom could be seen at busy intersections during early voting and election day holding up signs in support of the measure.

Museum officials have said the expansion will attract sought-after exhibits that boost tourism and further the museum’s mission of encouraging interest and understanding of the sciences through interactive exhibits and programs.