FAQs:
How important is the levy?
The 0.85 mill renewal levy is absolutely essential to the continued operation of the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center. The levy provides approximately 75% of Hayner’s operating, maintenance and programming budget. The 0.85 mill renewal levy will generate $663,817 annually for the next five years. The remaining 25% of Hayner’s income is derived from donations, fees and grants.
Donations to Friends of Hayner play an important role in helping to keep the tax rate as low as possible. Tax support helps us keep the building staffed, well-maintained and equipped for public use, and enables us to provide high quality programs, activities and exhibitions, all free and open to the public. Currently it costs approximately $2,161 per day to operate the Hayner Center.
Who Runs the Hayner Center?
Although the building was left in care of the Troy Board of Education, the Hayner Center is operated by a Board of Governors composed of nine Troy citizens, including a School Board representative. Decisions about what will take place at the Hayner and how it operates are made by the Board of Governors and carried out by Hayner staff and assisted by volunteers. The levy income that supports the Hayner Center is a separate Troy City Schools levy and held in a separate accounting line. The School Treasurer provides oversight of the public funds and Hayner levy money cannot be used for the public schools’ mandates.
How much does the levy provide?
The projected levy income is approximately $663,817 annually.
Is this levy a school levy?
The Hayner was bequeathed to the Troy City Schools by Mary Jane Hayner in 1942. The property is still owned by the Troy City Schools which means the levy ballot wording appears as a Troy City School Levy for the benefit of the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center. All funds generated from this levy go to the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center, not the Troy schools.
How are the Hayner’s levy funds used?
The levy supports Hayner's main functions:
Continued staffing, programming, and maintenance of the Hayner Mansion and property.
Free music programming, including the Lucky Lemonade Series, Drawing Room Concert Series, Fridays on Prouty Downtown Summer Concert Series, Juneteenth Concert, Annual Dulcimer Concert, Annual Jazz Concert, Songwriter’s Series, and PorchFest.
Free exhibits and other cultural events, including art exhibits, Film Series, Boo Bash, Holiday Open House for children & adults, Hayner Gift Gallery, and more.
Free meeting space for clubs, community organizations, and non-profits that primarily serve the residents of the Troy City School District.
In addition to covering the costs of free programs, Hayner also offers programs at a cost, such as classes (with dozens of offerings for children, adults, and seniors), Hayner Hits the Road Travel Club, and rental opportunities for private parties and events. These paid programs would not be possible without the Hayner's ongoing operation.