Laurens City council approves first reading to align business-license classes with state law

The Laurens City Council approved on first reading an ordinance amending the city's business-license ordinance to incorporate the class schedule issued under Act 176 of 2020.

The ordinance brings Laurens City into alignment with a statewide standard for business-license classes and rates that the legislature required municipalities to adopt. City leaders said the change ensures local license rates for particular trades — for example plumbers — match those set by the state.

Council discussion focused on how the update will affect business owners. A councilor asked whether the amendment would change how the city handles applicants who describe one business type but operate another. The city administrator said the update does not change the local enforcement tools: "If the administrator determines that it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck ... they can make the determination that that license is fraudulent or misleading and either require them to change it or deny it," the administrator said. The administrator added that, in practice, the person would be charged the appropriate rate for the business actually being conducted.

The ordinance requires two readings. Council voted on the first reading at the meeting; the mayor announced the measure passed unanimously and that it will return for second reading at the next regular meeting.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved unanimously; Ordinance 10-25-01, business-license class schedule, approved on first reading unanimously. The ordinance will return for a required second reading next month.