Newtown Township has decided to charge Council Rock School District the full amount for permit fees for the project at Newtown Middle School.
The township first delibrated the issue back in mid-April when it was recommended by township officials that the Board of Supervisors reduce permit fees to 65% of their original cost, since it had already done so for the renovation of Goodnoe Elementary School. Township officials expected that mechanical, building and electrical permit fees would cost the school district $282,765 at full cost; reducing the fees to 65% brought potential fees to $183,793.25, which the township noted would adequately cover all expenses.
Board of Supervisors Secretary Michael Gallagher first opposed the reduction in April, noting that reducing fees could potentially impact the township budget. While some projects come in under the standard permit fees and some come in over, by charging 100%, the permit budget balances out, said Gallagher.
While the board decided to table the item, the board decided not to approve it last week during a regularly scheduled meeting, leaving Council Rock School District to pay 100% of all permit fees required.
