Freeport approves community‑center use and fee waiver for local nonprofit theatre group

The City of Freeport council approved a nonprofit rental‑fee waiver and authorized a local theatre group to use the new community center for rehearsals and performances.

The organization identified itself as a local 501(c)(3) community theatre and said it was seeking a rental‑fee waiver while committing to provide liability insurance and to pay cleaning fees. “We are a 501c3 … we would like to waive the rental fees as a 501c3. However, we would like to pay the cleaning fees because places need to be cleaned,” the group’s president said during public comment and provided a proposed schedule (auditions March–April; rehearsals in May–June evenings; dress rehearsals around early July; performances July 9–12).

Council members discussed consistent application of policy for nonprofit uses and whether the mayor or city manager should have authority to approve similar time‑sensitive waivers without convening the full council. By motion, council directed the mayor and city manager to be able to approve emergency or time‑sensitive nonprofit fee waivers and to bring those approvals back to council for ratification at a later meeting; the council also approved the specific request on the agenda letting the theatre group use the facility with the understanding it will pay cleaning fees and coordinate around any scheduled elections.

City staff confirmed the group will provide required insurance and work with staff on cleaning arrangements and scheduling; no additional fee or budget appropriation was approved beyond the cleaning‑fee arrangement.