(KLZA)-- The Falls City  Council voted 3-2 Tuesday evening to waive the building permit fee for a new building planned by the Richardson County Historical Society. 

Richard Meinzer, President of the Historical Society Board of Directors made a request for the Council to waive the $1,115 building permit fee for a new building at 14th and Chase  Street, and also asked for utility hook-up fees be waived and for the City to make a monetary donation toward the building project.

Councilman Don Ferguson spoke in favor of the waiver of the building permit fee, suggesting that could serve as a donation. 

Council member Derrick Leyden suggested the fee waiver could create future issues, with other non-profit organizations coming to the city to request fee waivers and donations. 

City Administrator Gary Jorn estimated the fees for the water and sewer tap to be less than a thousand dollars and noted the City provides electrical and gas service up to the property line at no cost.  

Jorn said while it is a Council decision, but he would prefer not to donate tax dollars, noting taxes are not collected to  then be donated 

Following the discussion, a motion by Ferguson to waive the building permit fee and view the waiver as an in-kind donation was approved on a 3-2 vote with Council members Leyden and Lucas Froeschl casting the nay votes.

The Historical Society may still request from the  Board of Public Works the tap fees be waived.