A local theater company has decided to opt out of the Allied Arts Council and its annual Arts Fund Drive, saying the council’s new budget and audit requirements are too expensive.

In a news release, the Robidoux Resident Theatre (RRT) announced it will not accept funds from the drive.

“As of February, 2011 the board of directors of the Allied Arts Council mandated a full-audit from all agencies with an annual budget of $100,000,” RRT said in the news release.

RRT officials say the new policy has caused an undue financial burden. The company will continue completing a yearly outside review of its financial records.

RRT says it would have to spend $30,000 in audit and bookkeeping fees under the new policy, which officials say far outweighs their allocation of $25,487.00.

An audit at the state and federal level is required of groups with an annual budget of $500,000 or more, but RRT says the Allied Arts Council chose to set their audit policy at $100,000. RRT did request that the council revisit the policy: the council has chosen not to take action at this time.

In the news release, RRT acknowledged receiving allocations for years, and said the donations were a big part of the success the organization has enjoyed over the past 32 years.

According to the news release: “RRT is also very thankful to the work of the Allied Arts Council over the past 32 years, but due to the financial strain the new policy purts on the organization, RRT is forced to decline any participation in the drive and will work to make up the funds through special performances, development drives and donations.”