Judy Bowman, museum administrator, via letter asked the Plymouth County Supervisors' permission to use $1,000 of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) money for the repairs.

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Museum board members originally asked for the $1,000, already awarded, to replace a shattered glass backboard in the museum's gymnasium.

K. Kae Meyer, Plymouth County auditor, said LOST money can only be used for the project it was given for, which is why Bowman needs the supervisors' permission to use it elsewhere.

The supervisors discussed the request Tuesday, but did not act on it because the item was not on the agenda. Action will be considered at next week's meeting.

In her letter, Bowman said two backboards had been donated to the museum so it no longer needed to purchase a new one.

The supervisors talked about whether allowing Bowman to use the money for the chimney repairs instead of the backboard purchase would set an unwanted precedent.

Their concern is that other organizations will make the same requests or apply for more LOST money than is needed for projects so there is some left over, Meyer said.

For example, last year museum board members requested to use LOST dollars remaining after purchasing a sign for the facility and improving lighting in the parking lot for another project. That request was denied, Meyer said.

Using LOST money for repairs that were unplanned is a different circumstance, she said.

Supervisor Craig Anderson agreed.

"Bricks falling off the chimney is an emergency situation," he said.