Marion County School Board members agreed to revert rental room fees for the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band and other nonprofit organizations after a heated discussion about a recent increase in the fees that saw over a half dozen band members share opinions about the historical importance of the organization.
The topic was discussed during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the board, which was held at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala.
During the meeting, multiple members of the band shared their disappointment with a recent increase in the group’s room rental rate from $16 to $26.
Although it was unclear when the rental rate changed, according to district staff, the group was paying the same board-approved fee schedule that has always been in place. Staff indicated that there were no separate approvals for the specified fee of $16 and that this year, when a different department took over the room rental fee collection, the new fee was presented.
During the ensuing discussion, the board ultimately determined that the district would honor any rental rate agreements that had been in place with nonprofit organizations. In part, the board argued that it wasn’t fair to hold nonprofits to a fee schedule that was last updated in 2010.
Now, staff will provide credits to nonprofits that paid more than what was established previously by precedent with the district. Moving forward, those organizations will pay the rental rate that they had previously established by precedent with the district.
Founded in 1990, the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band has been comprised of members as young as 13 and as old as 95 and is an all-volunteer organization.
Currently, the band is comprised of dozens of accomplished flutists, bassoonists, percussionists, and other musicians.
Next month, the band will celebrate its 35th anniversary with two days of special concerts at the Marion Technical Institute.