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Council asks staff to draft small‑business fee‑waiver program after Fort Bragg model review
Summary
Staff presented a small‑business fee‑waiver concept modeled on Fort Bragg’s program; council asked staff to return with program details including eligibility (local, <=10 employees), fee categories (business license, zoning clearance, minor use permit) and an annual cap for city review.
Director Kristen Kenyon presented an overview of a small business incentive modeled on Fort Bragg’s program, describing options to waive select administrative fees for newly establishing, locally owned businesses with 10 or fewer employees. Kenyon said Fort Bragg’s program focuses on symbolic and early‑startup costs (business license, sign permits, zoning clearances) and pairs waivers with other economic‑development measures such as façade grants and low‑interest loans.
Staff recommended potential waivers of business‑license fees, zoning clearances and minor‑use permits up to $3,000 per business and proposed an annual city cap; council members supported returning with program specifics including an explicit cap and prioritization criteria for vacant downtown storefronts and true local startups (not franchises or vacation rentals).
Council and staff discussed legal and fiscal questions about subsidizing fees for some businesses and not others; the city attorney said such programs are case‑ and fact‑specific and typically implemented by subsidizing rather than changing fee schedules. Staff will return with detailed program design and budget impacts for council consideration.
