Wellington magistrate pauses business-tax case, asks parties for legal briefs on farm-product exemption

The Village of Wellington Special Magistrate deferred a final decision June 12 after a contested hearing over whether a property that rents horse stalls must hold a local business tax receipt. The magistrate asked both sides to submit written briefs within 10 days addressing statutory exemptions and other legal authorities before issuing a final ruling.

The dispute centers on case CC-1902-2023, brought by code compliance after a staff-initiated inquiry found a business operation renting stalls at a property on 15000–46 Lane South (listed in the record as a barn/stable). Christopher Prasad, a Village code compliance officer, presented the village’s case and recommended the property be required to obtain a business tax receipt (BTR) and pay any outstanding fees and penalties.

Samantha Candela, senior permitting and licensing technician for the Village, testified she received a phone call in 2023 about businesses in the area and, after checking Village records, found no BTR at the property. Candela said she sent an initial…