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Pembroke Park commission approves first reading to repeal local business tax receipts; second reading set for August
Summary
On first reading the commission approved an ordinance to repeal the town's business tax receipts (BTRs) and included a provision to pause issuance and collection pending the August second reading; local landlords and businesses voiced support during public comment.
The Town Commission on May 20 approved on first reading Ordinance 2025-003 to repeal Chapter 15, Article 2 of the Town Code that governs local business tax receipts. The ordinance includes a provision that pauses issuance and collection of BTR notices pending a second reading scheduled for Aug. 13.
Rick Chapels of the Kelsey Group, a local landlord, spoke during public comment in support of eliminating the town’s BTR requirement. Chapels said managing BTRs for many tenants is burdensome and often redundant with the town’s certificate-of-use process.
“We have about 37 tenants that all need BTRs. And it's gotten to the point … it's not quite there even as it currently stands,” Rick Chapels said, explaining that online notices lacked identifying detail and made enforcement and tenant assistance difficult.
Town staff explained that BTR notices typically go out in July and the ordinance’s stay would prevent issuance and collection of those notices until the second hearing in August. The ordinance text as presented references Chapter 205 of the Florida Statutes for the town’s authority to levy business tax receipts and includes transition and severability provisions.
A motion to approve the ordinance on first reading passed by roll call with no recorded dissent. Commissioners said they will coordinate with staff to ensure inspections (including fire inspections) that have historically been tied to BTRs will be addressed through the certificate-of-use or other processes if the repeal becomes final.
The second reading is scheduled for Aug. 13, when the commission will decide whether to adopt the repeal permanently and whether to make additional changes to inspection and permitting procedures.
