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Clerk-Treasurer flags 241 delinquent business licenses; food-and-beverage fund at $1.63M; town exploring contracted weed enforcement
Summary
Clerk-Treasurer Eric January told the Town of Merrillville council that about 241 businesses had not renewed licenses and reported a $1,626,798.88 balance in the food-and-beverage tax fund; the town manager said the administration will solicit contractors for noxious-weed enforcement and will return to council for contracts above $15,000.
Clerk-Treasurer Eric January told the Town of Merrillville council that about 241 businesses have not renewed their licenses and that the town’s food-and-beverage tax fund balance stood at $1,626,798.88. Town Manager Michael Griffin said the administration is preparing to solicit contractors to perform noxious-weed enforcement to free public works staff for parks work; any contract exceeding $15,000 will be brought back to the council for approval.
January reported the town has 1,143 approved business licenses and an additional roughly 241 accounts that have not renewed; some of the unrenewed accounts may represent businesses that have closed, he said, but others appear to still be operating. “We have approved licenses of, 1,143, but in that's not including 241 that haven't renewed their license,” January said. He recommended the town consider enforcement options for businesses that remain active but have not renewed licenses.
On municipal revenue, January said the food-and-beverage tax fund had a current balance of $1,626,798.88 and that payments to the town continue monthly; he noted the number was based on data that is not yet at full statewide participation and could change as the state reconciles contributions. When asked about the wheel tax fund, January provided a figure that the transcript records as “1,164,000 a $120.36,” which the council discussed as the current balance in that fund.
Town Manager Michael Griffin described a plan to seek proposals for contractor-based enforcement of the town’s tall-grass/noxious-weed code to allow public-works staff to focus on park maintenance. Griffin said responses included inconsistent hourly pricing and that he will meet respondents to refine proposals; he added that, because any resulting contract would exceed $15,000, it would be presented to the council for formal approval. “Because the contract would be in excess of $15,000, I will have to bring that back to you to agree to it,” Griffin said.
The council took no formal vote on the contract solicitations during the meeting. Members asked staff to continue refining cost and scope and to return with a recommended contract and budget impact.
