St. Cloud City Council Extends Building Fee Reduction Program [AUDIO]

ST. CLOUD - A program aimed at spurring more new home construction in St. Cloud has been renewed.  The city council approved extending the building fee reduction program on a 5-2 vote.

Building fees will be reduced by $1,500, starting on March 1st.  The program will last for six months, or 30 permits.  Fifteen of the permits must target foreclosed properties.

Councilman Goerge Hontos says the program worked in the last six months of last year.

The city issued 32 permits during the program last year, compared to 13 permits during the same period the year before.

John Libert is one of the council members who voted against the extension.  He says he's in favor of doing something to encourage new home construction, but feels this program fails to see the bigger picture.

New home construction in St. Cloud has been lagging since the recession began.