Issue of the Month—Zoo Re-Organization Implementation Group

County Commission Board Chari Parrish recently appointed a John Ball Zoo re-organizational implementation committee. The purpose of this committee is to develop a proposed “public-private governance structure for managing and operating the John Ball Zoo that combines the collective resources and staffs of the County and the John Ball Zoological Society into a 501 © (3) not-for-profit organization.” This is in response to a special study concluded in early 2011 that we needed a different and more efficient of sustaining the Zoo into the future. With this new structure it is envisioned the County will remain the “public” partner and the Non-profit would be the “private” partner as the sole operating entity for the John Ball Zoo. The group will perform the initial budgeting for the future operation, review and assessment of the current assets and resources held by the present two organizations (County Zoo department and John Ball Zoological Society), and determination of how those individually held assets can be combined into the best operation possible. The plan will also include how the future of the Zoo will be funded. The committee is comprised of nine individuals including two county commissioners. It is hoped the work will be complete by early 2012, but that date may be delayed pending some of the initial findings regarding future funding difficulties and current issues. The Commission will receive periodic reports of progress. In the meantime, I would welcome your thoughts about this project.