JACKSON—Amendments have been made to the Northampton County Cultural andWellnessCenter’s policy.

Last week, the Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved the changes to the policy, which includes an increase to the fees for non-profits.

According to Recreation DirectorJames Roberts, the amendments also adds categories/pricing for lobby and conference room area as well as stage rental, adding a holiday rental fee and language allowing holiday rental usage and extending the booking date to one year (in lieu of six months) and deposit/cancelation requirement out to 30 days (in lieu of two weeks).

Roberts said the changes were recommended by the Cultural andWellnessCenterand the Policy Review Committee in order to aid Center staff to serve to community more effectively regarding rentals.

Rental fees for non-profits are increased from $175 (for a five hour block) to $250, the food prep area rental from $25 to $35, and the deposit from $50 to $70.

Stage rental fees for non-profits, county residents and non-county residents will be $50, holiday rental fee $75, conference room (only) $25 per hour, lobby area (only) $60 per hour.

Roberts said the $75 holiday rental fee will be applied in addition to the regular cost and that particular fee will apply to the following observed county holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. There will be no rentals for Christmas or Thanksgiving.

The previous policy allowed reservations to be taken no more than six months in advance. That timeframe has been changed to one year. The balance of rental fees must be paid no less than 30 days prior to the event.

Commission Vice Chair Virginia Spruill moved to approve the changes. Commissioner Fannie Greene offered a second and motion carried without objection.

The last revision to the policy occurred in 2009.