Wichita ? Despite cutting its deficit in half, the Old Cowtown Museum still is juggling bills to meet the payroll, board members were told.

The living history museum’s deficit has been cut from $300,000 to $150,000, but it remains difficult to pay employees, Patrick McKaig, the museum’s finance and business administration director, told the museum’s board Monday night.

“I keep rotating payables to keep people happy,” McKaig said. Some bill payments may be as much as 90 to 120 days late, he said.

The museum has 17 full-time employees and hires 15 more during the summer.

Despite expressing concern and discussing possible cost-cutting moves, board members took no action.

“I contend this is a crisis if you can’t make payroll,” said Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Ben Sciortino, who is also a Cowtown board member.

Most of Cowtown’s budget comes from Sedgwick County and Wichita taxpayers.

Board member Sharon Fearey, who is also a Wichita City Council member, said something had to be done.

Girl Scout re-enactors Melissa Hartley, 12, left, and Charlotte Myrtle, 11, carry a bucket and butter churn in July 2003 at Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita. Despite cutting its deficit in half, the museum still is having trouble meeting its payroll, board members were told Monday night.

“What are we as a board doing to get out of this?” she asked. “We have this company, and it appears to be going under – it’s not closing – but what is somebody going to do?”

Cowtown officials said they are considering keeping the museum open during tourist season on Thursdays through Sundays only. The museum would be open later in the evening on those days.

Singer Michael Martin Murphey has volunteered to host a benefit concert and special dinner for Cowtown, and a committee may be formed to boost fundraising efforts.

Museum Director Jan McKay said membership had increased and some longtime members were giving extra money to help with the budget.

In March, a consultant’s study recommended either selling Cowtown or spending $5 million to $16 million to preserve it.

Cowtown officials are to meet with city and county officials later this week to discuss budget options.