San Fernando approves business‑license amnesty with $500 threshold, payment plans to aid struggling small businesses

The San Fernando City Council approved a business‑license amnesty intended to bring noncompliant local businesses into good standing and provide relief amid recent economic stresses. Under the council’s direction, businesses with outstanding license balances of $500 or more may sign a payment arrangement to become eligible to have fines and penalties waived; council members also directed that businesses owing under $500 be required to come current so they are compliant. The payment arrangements may extend up to 12 months, at the discretion of the finance department. Council Member Patty Lopez moved the motion with a second; the roll call vote was 4–0 (Vice Mayor Salodio absent) and the motion passed. City staff said roughly 115 businesses were eligible under the program and that bringing businesses into compliance helps the city maintain accurate business records for outreach and revenue planning. The finance director explained the city budgets for business‑license revenue but does not budget for fines and penalties, and estimated the waived fines and penalties would total about $168,000. The city stressed the program is intended to increase compliance, allow outreach to small businesses and restore a predictable revenue stream rather than to erase large debts without payment. Council debated whether to waive penalties for all businesses or to require a $500 payment; council members expressed concern about fairness and revenue. Some members argued for trying to collect all amounts owed because the city uses license revenue in the general fund; others cited pandemic impacts, recent local incidents that reduced customer traffic and the need to support small businesses through outreach and payment arrangements. The motion passed; staff will implement the program, enroll eligible businesses in payment plans, and return with updates as part of compliance outreach.