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Statesboro moves an occupational-tax ordinance for attorneys to second reading after public hearing
Summary
Council opened and closed a public hearing and approved moving to second reading an ordinance revising Code of Ordinances section 18-105 to allow collection of occupational taxes for attorneys paid in arrears, citing state court guidance.
The Statesboro City Council opened a public hearing June 3 and moved an ordinance amending the city code to a second reading that would allow collection of an occupational tax for attorneys if collected in arrears.
A staff presenter said the change follows Georgia Supreme Court guidance in the case identified in the packet as Moss v. Sydney Dunwoody and mirrors a Dunwoody ordinance that survived challenge. The presenter said the existing ordinance language had been found to create an unconstitutional condition related to the practice of law; the proposed revision would require the occupational tax for attorneys to be paid in arrears rather than as a condition of practicing.
The council opened the hearing, heard no speakers for or against the change, closed the hearing, and later moved the ordinance forward to a second reading; the transcript records the motions and voice votes. A council member asked to confirm that payment "in arrears" meant payment for a previous year and staff confirmed that interpretation, saying it would not require payment for a future year because that would be an unconstitutional condition.
The ordinance is listed in the agenda as Ordinance 2025-024 amending Statesboro Code of Ordinances section 18-105 regarding occupational taxes for attorneys. The transcript shows the council moved the item to second reading; final adoption and any effective date are not recorded in this meeting's transcript.
