Bartlett Center finances face years of challenges
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Following the City of St. Joseph's response Monday to recent changes at the Bartlett Center and the departure of former executive LaTonya Williams, the nonprofit's finances have reportedly been an issue for several years.
City officials said they have been aware of the organization's financial difficulties. The Bartlett Center receives funding from multiple sources, including grants and donations.
On Tuesday, city officials released a statement detailing their interactions with Bartlett Center leadership and the nonprofit's Board of Directors. While Williams disagrees with the comments made by city officials regarding the Bartlett Center's financial situation.
The City of St. Joseph has leased the Horace Mann Community Center to the Bartlett Center for $2,905.12 per month since July 2026. Before that, it leased the building for $2,806.28 per month.
The city said it also insures the building, pays for utilities and performs significant maintenance.
City officials, in their release on Monday, that they met with the organization's director on Dec. 22, 2025, after consecutive missed lease payments dating to August 2025 to discuss the issues and reach a payment agreement.
According to the city, it did not hear from the Bartlett Center after the Dec. 22 meeting. It then issued a formal legal notice of default on Jan. 12 regarding missed payments totaling $14,034.40.
City officials and the Bartlett Center met Jan. 20 for a second time to address the outstanding balance and establish a payment plan. At the meeting, the Bartlett Center gave the city a check for $8,420.64 to cover monthly lease payments from December 2025 through February 2026.
The Bartlett Center presented a plan to pay $4,912.03 monthly from March through June to cover its ongoing lease costs and remaining delinquent payments from September through November 2025. Those four payments were made.
In June, the Bartlett Center was struggling financially while waiting for federal grants. The organization was seeking donations while it remained on a waitlist for the grants.
Per the city's release on Monday, the Bartlett Center failed to make lease payments from July through September 2026, and another legal notice of default was issued. According to the city, the Bartlett Center currently owes the city $8,715.40 in lease fees.
During the Sept. 18 meeting, the city officials said they indicated collecting the balance likely would be difficult in light of the Bartlett Center board's stated plan to dissolve. However, the city did not offer to waive collection of the amount owed in exchange for the removal of any Bartlett Center employee.
Issues also have been raised regarding Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, payments to the Bartlett Center.
The CDBG program provides federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the city to support infrastructure, public facilities and service organizations, including organizations that provide child care.
The funds are intended to support eligible expenses, including salaries and certain services, and cannot be used to pay rent. The Bartlett Center receives CDBG funding through the city.
Agencies are required to submit reimbursement requests with supporting documentation to the city. The city said it has requested that the Bartlett Center's director submit the requests monthly to allow for timely disbursement of allocated funds.
City officials said that in several cases, reimbursement requests were submitted incorrectly or late, leading to delays in the city releasing CDBG funds to the Bartlett Center.
During a City Council work session in June, Williams said she provided documentation to council members in an email.
Throughout the entire situation, Williams indicated to KQ2 that the city's perspective on the ongoing situation does not share the full story.
KQ2 submitted two Sunshine Law requests to the city Monday, asking for information regarding the city's financial and property relationship with the Bartlett Center, as well as communications between city officials and employees and Bartlett Center representatives regarding the organization's finances, tenancy, operations and future.
