New -Permanent- Business License Fee Encouraged
Friday, October 25, 2013 @ 3:59 AM
Prince George, B.C. – When 2014 rolls around, businesses in Prince George will be paying 5% more for their business licences.
That is a far cry from the approach being taken in the community of Langford on Vancouver Island.
That community has decided that instead of having businesses renew their licences annually, businesses can apply for a “permanent” license.
The Canadian Federation of Independent business is applauding the move, and is urging other communities in B.C. to follow Langford’s lead.
According to the CFIB, Langford expects to lose about $70 thousand dollars a year in revenue, but that it cost the City of Langford about $40 thousand a year to administer and enforce the business license bylaw.
“The net revenue loss of $30,000 is a tiny fraction of the $20 million in taxes he raises from businesses each year,” says the CFIB BC director of provincial affairs Mike Klassen. He says that City is questioning why the City should bother businesses that are bringing jobs and prosperity to the community. “The small loss is more than made up for by more businesses opening up in Langford” adds Klassen.
When Prince George examined boosting the business license fees, the initial recommendation was that they be increased 30% a year in each of the next three years. Council rolled that back to 5% per year in each of the next three years. It is expected the increase will generate a little more than $40 thousand dollars next year.
Comments
Go Langford!!!!!
How come we end up with the ones who were promoted to their levels of incompetence?
Because “we” voted them into office. (sigh)
When’s the next vote?
We do not vote for administrative positions in PG. The administrators make the recommendations to Council.
As the article says, the recommendation was for 30% x 3 years increase in fee. Council cut that back to 5%.
Gus, but who hired the staff? You got it. The very ones “we” voted for on council.
What is the benefit of this licence. Its just another tax.
The money raised to issue annual licenses does not cover the cost to administer the system so I agree charge a one time fee to cover the cost of a permanent license and be done with it. If there is a change in ownership then the new owner will have to pay the city to issue a new license.
To continue to loose money with no real benefit to the city is idiotic.
“but who hired the staff? You got it. The very ones “we” voted for on council”
Sorry. The only one Council hires is the City Manager. Other than that, Administration is responsible for hiring, supervision and firing.
There was an article recently of how few Canadians knew how their government worked at all levels. So, perhaps we need to look at ourselves for voting on something we do not really understand.
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