After getting input from local business owners about the current business licence fee structure, Creston town council will consider a new bylaw that will simplify the calculations.
“Staff considers the current bylaw to be unnecessarily complicated and perceived by the public as ‘unfair’ in its application,” finance and corporate services director Steffan Klassen reported at last Tuesday’s regular council meeting.
At a recent informational meeting, Klassen said, business owners were presented with two possible options.
The first would simplify the fees by creating only four categories: home crafts ($50), commercial – small ($80), commercial – large $150) and industrial ($300).
A slightly more complicated second option was preferred by the majority, and council was presented with two versions for consideration.
After discussion, a motion was passed to direct staff to prepare a bylaw that would put seven categories into effect: home crafts ($40), commercial – small ($75), commercial – large ($130), industrial ($300), temporary – carnival ($200), temporary – all other ($75) and non-profit business ($25).
A change to the business licence bylaw is intended to be revenue neutral and would bring about the same amount of money into town coffers as the current fees do.