Ephrata council waives most of $163,040 in permit fees for school improvements; district to pay $2,509

Ephrata Borough Council voted unanimously March 9 to approve the Ephrata Area School District's request to waive building permit fees for planned improvements at Fulton and Highland Elementary Schools. The permit fees originally totaled $163,040; the district agreed to pay a $2,500 administrative fee and inspection fees are paid directly to the third-party inspection agency, resulting in a remaining Borough charge of $2,509 (the $2,500 administrative fee plus $9 for UCC training). Chad Ochs moved the measure and Kory Musser seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Council materials show the Borough’s out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $9 for UCC training fees, with the District covering inspection fees and the administrative payment. The committee recommended the waiver after reviewing the District's project scope and the calculation of fees and insurances. No public opposition was recorded at the meeting.

The waiver applies specifically to the building permit fees for the two elementary schools' planned improvements; the parties noted inspection fees will continue to be remitted to the third-party inspector and the District remains responsible for the administrative fee. Council authorized the Borough Manager to execute associated paperwork as needed.