McBee council approves ordinance updating business license rates; doubles out-of-town fees

The Town of McBee council on Dec. 29 approved the Second Reading of an ordinance updating business license rates and the business-class rate schedule. Mayor Glenn Odom presided over the public hearing and the council vote, and the motion to approve was moved by Councilman Robbie Liles and seconded by Councilman Ricky Peoples; the motion passed "All in Favor."

Town Clerk Kylee Watts explained the principal change as a reworking of the rate structure, saying "the biggest difference will be the rate changes per $2,000." She described the revision as straightforward to implement for the next license year and clarified that a separate per-machine fee applies to coin-operated devices such as arcade games and laundromat machines. Councilman Robbie Liles asked specifically about the "amount per machine," and Watts confirmed the fee applies to coin-operated machines.

Mayor Glenn Odom pointed to a provision in the ordinance that raises the charge for businesses located outside McBee, noting the text calls for rates to be doubled for out-of-town businesses. Odom also said he intends to compare town receipts against state-reported business revenues, stating he believes some industries have reported less than their actual revenue and that he wants the state list of reported income for verification.

The mayor opened the floor to public comment on the ordinance; no members of the public spoke. After the ordinance vote, Councilman Robbie Liles moved to adjourn, Mayor Glenn Odom seconded, and the council voted to adjourn the hearing.