HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners agreed during an April 28 virtual work session to do away with the fees associated with the city’s business tax receipt program, but only for the coming fiscal year.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer brought the issue to his fellow commissioners’ attention as a way to offer some financial relief to businesses that might be struggling due to COVID-19 closures. Schaefer said he’d like to give the business owners a break on the BTR, which was set to increase by 5% when renewals are due in the fall.
“It’s an effort on behalf of the city to work with our businesses,” Schaefer said, adding that if nothing else, it shows that the city’s leaders recognize the financial hardship that business owners are currently operating under.
He did not suggest doing away with the increase, which is now planned to go into effect for fiscal year 2021-22.
The city brings in about $45,000 in revenue from the BTR program. The 5% increase was approved to help cover more of the costs of administering the program. The work is done by the city clerk’s office to record, issue and renew the city’s BTRs.
City Attorney Patricia Petruff said that she would draft an ordinance for discussion at a future work session that requires business owners to file for new BTRs and renewals without having to pay the associated fee.
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