 The Bemidji City Council approved a new five-year contract with a raise for the Sanford Center's management company VenuWorks tonight. The council discussed and debated for over 90 minutes the terms, conditions and the length of the new contract. The new contract would begin in January of 2019 and would include new terms such as extending the termination clause from 90 days to 180. Members of VenuWorks executive staff were present to answer questions by council members. Before the final vote, council members debated and discussed at length the ongoing auditor VenuWorks by the Minnesota State Auditor and other issues surrounding the new contract. I find it real strange that we're actually wanting to enter into a five-year contract with a raise to a company that, before we even get the results of a fraud audit on that very company. I mean, we're not leaving us a window here for those other three items to be used as a, you know, as that barometer to determine whether this is actually being successful or not. But VenuWorks may deviate from the standard rental rates when such negotiation is deemed by both parties to be in the best interest of the facility. And it does not say what the approval from the city. The new contract was approved six to one with Councilman Ron Johnson casting the lone no vote. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.