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Council raises business-license fees, approves online system cost; changes to take effect July 1
Summary
The council voted to increase in‑home business licenses to $50 and commercial licenses to $150 and approved moving to the iWORKS online licensing system (annual cost $2,500); members requested written justification for fee changes and said new fees should take effect July 1.
The council voted to raise business-license fees after reviewing market comparisons and the cost of an online licensing system.
Scott Pew, who presented the analysis, recommended higher fees to cover the $2,500 annual cost of the iWORKS platform and to account for staff time and legal expenses associated with license administration. Council discussion included: whether increases should recoup only direct costs; state averages for licenses; and the need to document justification in writing (time per application, planning commission review, software costs) so the fee increase is auditable.
A motion to set in‑home licenses at $50 and commercial licenses at $150 passed by voice vote. Council members said the increases should take effect July 1 to align with the new fiscal year and to allow time to implement the iWORKS forms and any additional application questions, including neighborhood/traffic and safety issues.
Ending: Staff and council members will prepare written documentation of the cost justification, update application forms to collect safety and traffic information where appropriate, and arrange iWORKS implementation ahead of a July 1 effective date.
