Commission removes erector's license fee from sign-permit process after staff and counsel discussion

The City Commission approved Resolution 2025-O6 to remove references to an erector's license and associated fee from the sign ordinance and municipal rate schedule, making the erector's license unnecessary and consolidating sign permitting under the standard sign-permit process.

Barry Cranston said the change "just standardizes the ordinance" and explained that the erector's license requirement had been inconsistently applied. Pastor Smith asked whether the requirement had created past problems; Cranston and other staff described a required performance bond (cited as $5,000) and explained that sign permits and aggregate square-footage calculations remain part of the permitting review.

Legal counsel Cody Honeywell participated by video and advised the commission that accepting limited public comment on the resolution was permissible and that the city could proceed with a complaint-based enforcement approach. Local commenters and a speaker with national sign-industry experience said they favored a single permit process rather than a separate erector's-license track to avoid permitting gaps when contractors from out of state perform work.

Following discussion and a motion, the commission approved the resolution by roll call. With the resolution adopted, sign permit responsibility for incorrectly placed signs will rest with the business obtaining the sign permit and the standard permitting procedures and bonds will be used to enforce compliance.

Next steps include updating the sign-permit forms and the rate resolution to remove fee references.