DYER | The town is considering changing its ordinance to allow a rollback of permit fees at the new Protsman Elementary School.
The Town Council is making the ordinance change on the advice of its attorney, Bill Enslen. Although the current ordinance allows the forgiving of permit fees for a category of development called a “political subdivision,” the school doesn’t fit in that category, he said.
The council will take up the ordinance change as early as its September business meeting.
The council would allow for only a partial reduction of the permit fees so that the town's costs during the permit process will be covered.
During the council's August study session, officials learned the town’s costs could be as low as $55,000 and as high as $81,000.
The $22 million construction project will incur about $150,000 in permit fees.
Councilman Joe Cinko and council President Jeff Dekker suggested reducing fees by 60 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
Councilwomen Debbie Astor and Mary Tanis pushed for a higher reduction. Tanis suggested contacting the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns for input.
The new Protsman School will be built on the site of the old building at 1121 Harrison Ave.
School officials have not yet begun the permit process and have been cooperative as the council deliberates, Town Administrator Rick Eberly said.
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