The Columbia City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 6 to pause the recent increase in the maximum annual business-license fee and directed city staff to work with the Columbia Chamber of Commerce to collect business input and propose a revised, transparent fee structure for Fiscal Year 2026.

The pause relates to a decision the council considered late last year that raised the fee-ceiling tiers used to calculate business-license charges. Finance staff told the council the city has not updated business-license fees since the late 1960s and that changes were intended to recover general-fund costs. Staff also provided high-level counts showing that about 50 businesses would reach the $10,000 maximum under the new schedule and roughly 85–90 would have met an earlier $3,000 threshold; the city has roughly 4,000 business licenses on file.

Why it matters: Several local employers and the Chamber urged a pause to avoid sudden cost shocks and to allow a collaborative review. Lily White Boyd, vice president of external affairs at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber and city have begun meetings and "look forward to finding the best solutions for all of the parties moving forward." Business leaders including bank and insurance executives also asked council to allow more time for consultation.

Council discussion emphasized the need for data-driven decisions and stronger communication when fees change. City staff said they will form a review process with the chamber and business stakeholders with the aim of producing a recommended structure for FY26 licensing year. Council Member Roy said he would support the pause but urged that future changes rely on complete data; several council members commended staff and the chamber for outreach.

Action: Council Bill 30224, authorizing a pause to the maximum fee increase, passed on a roll-call vote (Meyer: yes; Lovelady: yes; Foster: yes; Waterman: yes; Buffalo: yes; Carroll: yes). Staff will convene meetings with the Chamber and business community and expects a recommended schedule for FY26 licensing.