Following investigations and the uprooting of former financial operations with the Zoological Society, the Henry Vilas Zoo is taking steps to transition to new management strategies with Dane County and a new contractor.
According to the Isthmus, the Henry Vilas Zoo is in the process of making changes in its financial administration after allegations about its former financial manager yielded findings of no criminal conduct. The Zoological Society was investigated for the speculated misplacement of donations throughout 2019, according to the Isthmus.
After further examination from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, all of the money was accounted for and the Zoological Society was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in early 2020, Dane County Sheriff’s Office Detective Janet Boehnen said in a December report, according to The Cap Times.
“After reviewing all the information, [Assistant District Attorney Paul Humphrey] did not believe there was an intentional act, from the Zoological Society, of any theft or fraud that is consistent with embezzlement or misappropriation of funds,” Boehnen wrote in the report.
In the midst of the turmoil, the partnership between the Henry Vilas Zoo and the Zoological Society — which had previously managed the finances and concessions of the zoo for 105 years— was not renewed and ended. After being unable to reach an agreement to renew the Zoological Society’s contract, the Society split with the Henry Vilas Zoo in 2019, according to the Isthmus.
The clearing of criminal wrongdoing came after the county made an agreement with the Society to donate $7 million to an endowment fund for the zoo, signaling the official end of the split, according to the Isthmus. After the Society’s contract expired, the county assumed a larger role, rushed to find a new contractor and chose Centerplate, which is now in charge of the concessions in the zoo.
According to Dane County’s District 13 Supervisor Chuck Erickson, the county’s decision to hire Centerplate is based on the county’s previous relationship with the contractor as the vendor of the Alliant Energy Center.
“Not only was it a natural fit, it was something they were interested in doing, they could handle it, and so far it seems to be working out okay,” Erickson said.
Deputy Zoo Director of the Henry Vilas Zoo Joseph D’Arcangelo said the Zoological Society was in charge of the fundraising and concessions. D’Arcangelo said this included the gift shops, the train, the carousel and the restaurants within the zoo. Additionally, the Society also put on many events at the zoo such as the zoo lights, Boo! at the Zoo and corporate events.
D’Arcangelo said the removal of the fundraising entity placed the responsibility of these event operations onto the county. D’Arcangelo said the zoo hired more staff in order to accommodate this additional responsibility in the zoo’s operations.
The zoo has a new operations manager, a new event coordinator and an education team, D’Arcangelo said.
“That allows us to be able to move forward with doing certain things such as these events and any other special occasions, such as birthday parties or other educational programs,” D’Arcangelo said.
Erickson said since the transition of financial management to Centerplate, the county is able to view all the financial transactions with more ease. This gives the county a better opportunity to oversee the funds and donations being made to the zoo, according to Erickson.
Erickson said this is a positive development because it helps make the whole monetary flow the zoo relies on to be more transparent to county officials, as well as to the public in general.
“We can see what they are spending, we can see what they are doing, we can see their structure,” Erickson said. “We have insight into all of that, whereas before the Society was a private organization so didn’t have insight into any of that.”
Erickson said the county’s main avenue of supporting the zoo’s transition is through continuing the financial support. According to Erickson, 80% of the zoo’s funding comes from the county and 20% comes from the city.
D’Arcangelo and Erickson both agreed the changes regarding the new system of operation is positive, and both sides are excited about the new opportunities that will come because of it. According to Erickson, even with the changes in management, the public will see minimal changes in the zoo’s operation and treatment of the animals.
“Everything continues the way it did,” Erickson said. “There’s no interruption in servicing or anything.”
Erickson said management is mostly concerned about the well-being of the animals and taking care of the community’s admission-free zoo, a level of care which will persist — regardless of the new administrative processes.
D’Arcangelo said the county’s greater involvement opens up different opportunities for both sides to successfully continue the zoo’s operations as one of the only zoos in the nation that is admission free.
D’Arcangelo said it’s exciting the county is helping with specialized events, and thinks the county is looking forward to being involved in stronger conversation initiatives.
“I think they are excited to be able to give back into the community in a way that is very unique to this area because of the fact that we are free,” D’Arcangelo said.
