5/5/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BOOK 89 P'.Gr -7 �51 population basis. The new law further requires that a committee be established to review the rate structure and establish how the balance of the fees would be distributed. Commissioner Eggert related that questions have been raised over and over again at the Economic Development Council meetings regarding why we must have separate license fees in the city and in the county, and why it cannot be collected in one place and distributed properly according to a set formula. Commissioner Eggert stated that the County is trying to set up a system to inform a business person that the occupational license fee is a tax and if you are involved in business there are other requirements. She hoped municipalities could join the County in this endeavor. Commissioner Eggert directed the Board's and Council's attention to a copy of the proposed new law which states that an Equity Study Committee should be formed to recommend a classification system and rate structure. She suggested that the committee be composed of the staffs of the municipalities to recommend whether we could have a county -wide fee and have it properly distributed. Acting City Manager Nason distributed a sheet showing the amounts of occupational fees collected by the City and the County in fiscal years 1992 and 1993. He agreed that the occupational license fee is a tax, and the City makes it very clear it is a tax and not a regulatory procedure. He also agreed that a joint committee is a good idea. Mayor Smith felt that the information regarding the proposed law is too new and urged the City Council to allow the staff digest it and present it to Council for discussion. Then the City will send a formal answer to the County. Vero Beach Planning Director Dennis Ragsdale advised that they do check on applications before they issue an occupational license. If we go to a joint system, he requested that the County do its own check on applicants because there have been cases where the County issued an occupational license to someone who improperly opened a business. The City staff read about it in the newspaper and realized that the business did not comply with zoning, but the business was established and operating, and the City had to kick them out. These people assumed that they received a license to go into business. Commissioner Eggert hoped the computers can speak to each other and correct that type of thing. In the meantime, the big concern is multiple payments for occupational licenses. Mayor Smith directed staff to review and be prepared to advise the City Council on what effect a joint occupational license will have on the revenue stream. 4