Museum asks city to pay building expenses

BILOXI — The fate of the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art for now rests with the Biloxi City Council.

The Sun Herald reports museum representatives asked the city yesterday to pay the expenses of the museum buildings, which Biloxi owns and leases to the museum at no cost.

The council unanimously voted to table the request.

Councilman Clark Griffith asked how large a contribution was needed from the city and where the money would come from in an already-tight budget.

Ohr treasurer Chevis Swetman said the wind, flood and property insurance on the buildings is $116,000 a year. Utilities average $120,000 a year and he estimated the city’s cost for maintenance and landscaping could be $10,000 a month.

A special meeting is set for next Tuesday to continue looking at budget issues.