Ranch asks for bigger grant

The O’Keefe Ranch & Interior Heritage Society is looking for an increase to its operating grant from the City of Vernon.

In a letter submitted to council ahead of its Oct. 7 regular meeting, O’Keefe society president Bruce Cummings asked for assistance for 2025.

“Our operating expenses have been increasing rapidly to a large extent due to utilities and inflation in general,” reads the letter.

“Therefore, we are requesting an operating grant of $150,000 for the 2024 fiscal year.”

The request comes after council recently denied the ranch’s request for an additional $85,000 to help pay summer students and complete repairs at the site.

In the same decision, council agreed to keep the lease with the ranch which was established in 1997 and run through March 2027. The lease specifies the city will pay the ranch $10,000 each year for capital works.

Vernon city staff recommend council receive the report and reaffirm the decision to deny $85,000 and uphold the lease.