Business license increase to be on April ballot for Gerald voters

Posted 12/26/19

Gerald voters to decide on a significant increase for the cost of a Gerald business license in 2020.

The Board of Aldermen agreed Dec. 12 to put the matter before voters in the April Municipal …

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Business license increase to be on April ballot for Gerald voters

Posted

Gerald voters to decide on a significant increase for the cost of a Gerald business license in 2020.

The Board of Aldermen agreed Dec. 12 to put the matter before voters in the April Municipal Election.

Currently, business licenses cost a flat rate of $25 per year for retailers or those providing a service. Contractors or those conducting a building trade now pay $30 for a license.

Aldermen reason that larger business require the expenditure of more resources from the city. They also note that small businesses that generate sales tax pay the same rate as a larger manufacturing business.

City officials are suggesting a new rate structure that would include a flat rate of $100 for all retailers.

Non-retailers, such as manufacturing businesses, would pay either 12.5 cents for every square foot of occupied space for its business or up to five percent of the gross receipts of the business, whichever is greater.

The proposed new ordinance notes that “the business license structure in the city has not been updated since, at least, 2008.”

“The city has a substantial interest in protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare of the individual residents and businesses of the city and...the city wishes to update its business license structure to more appropriately account for businesses within the city and better provide for the public health, safety, and general welfare of the individual residents and businesses of the city.”

To see the current city code regulating business licenses, go to: https://www.geraldmo.com/ scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Gerald Codes. Chapter 605 lists regulations on businesses, including license rates.