A Franklin County judge Friday ruled that the Warren County Commission is required to pay building permit fees as set by the city of Warrenton related to the construction of its new administration building. The judgement was made by Associate Circuit Judge David Tobben nearly 10 months after arguments were heard from both sides. At issue was whether or not the county was required to pay for certain city building permits related to the administration building currently under construction. Attorneys for the county and city argued in a March 2 hearing whether the county, another government entity, is subject to the city’s building permit requirements. The county commission, which initiated the lawsuit, contended that under state law it was not required to obtain and pay for city building permits. City officials disputed the county’s interpretation of the law and maintained the county was in violation of city building codes by not obtaining and paying for the building permit. Under protest, the county commission paid a total of $27,406 to the city for separate building and stormwater permits. Of that amount, $26,781 is for the building permit. Following Tobben's ruling, those funds will remain with the city. For more on this story, see Thursday's Record.