Killingsworth said these organizations do a lot for the community and don't get any tax breaks.
Currently the rental fee for non-profits is $175 compared to a fee of up to $325 per day for use of all of the main floor amenities for a full day.
Falls City Chamber and Main Street Executive Director and former Council member Amber Holle suggested waiving the fee for just a handful of groups would “open a can of worms,” noting there are many deserving organizations in the community and suggested all non-profits be included or none at all. She said if you go back to handling fee waivers on a case-by-case basis the city would go against the goal of simplifying things.
Falls City Parks and Recreation Director Briar Burr said the idea is to cover the costs the city incurs due to needed cleanup after and event and noted that even the tape that is used to secure the floor covering for events is $22 per roll and it takes multiple roles just for taping one seem.
The Council vote was 3-3 with members Josh Kaster, Sara Ruiz and Joe Buckminster casting nay votes. Mayor Mark Harkendorff cast the deciding, dissenting vote, and suggested the topic could be reviewed and brought back before the Council at a later date.
Council members Derek Leyden and Don Ferguson were absent from the meeting.
