Taylor Council Members Debate The Value Of Business Licenses

Jeff Johnson, of the town’s Planning and Zoning Department, briefly explained the temporary use permits. He said that the applicant fills out a form, which requires written permission from the property owner where the goods will be sold.

Johnson noted that there is a peddler’s license, which is broken into three categories: door to door sales of goods; door to door solicitor who takes orders for goods; and transient merchant, which involves renting a motel room or other space, advertising and doing business. The code does require a background check by the chief of police and if the seller is from out-of-state, he or she must provide a $500 bond. He said that there are exceptions, such as carnivals.

“We’ve got to treat everybody uniformly,” said Councilman Shawn Palmer. “I’m not saying treat the local wood cutters the same as carnivals. Peddlers are definitely different than those who live here.” He expressed concern for businesses such as baby sitting, car washes and sandwich shops, which are a service to the community.

In response to a question from Councilman Gary Solomon, Finance Director Gus Lunderberg estimated that the town doesn’t bring in more than $2,000 for these permits.

“I look at this as kind of a rude deal,” said Palmer, noting they regulate themselves in that if someone is selling wood in the wrong place, the property owner will tell them.

“I think the people who blow through town, the fly-by-nights, there might need to be something for that,” said Palmer. He also noted that the carnival gets people out to spend money. “I think we don’t want to discourage people from making some money,” he said.

“Are we finding them, or is it just hit and miss? asked Councilman Solomon. He also asked whose job it is to find them.

Johnson said that he does enforcement, watching parking lots, and that he follows up on complaints.

“A temporary use permit is for sales of something that isn’t associated with the main business of where its operated,” said Johnson, using Bashas’ selling food or chilies in front of the store as an example of being part of the business, and sweet corn sales at Hatch Construction that is a different business and would require a permit.

Town Manager Eric Duthie commented that he receives calls from businesses concerned that they pay overhead and someone is selling cheaper on the corner. “The real intent is to protect the businesses,” he said. “Fly-by-nights cut into the business of people who live here.”

In response to the question of whether they issue a permit to everyone who should have one, Duthie responded, “Absolutely not. We respond to complaints. We do the best we can with a one-man department, but there will be the question of how come you got me and you didn’t get him.”

Vice Mayor Jane Lee pointed out that the business license is $10, renewable annually, and the temporary use permit is $50 for three months.

“I don’t want to penalize anybody for wanting to go to work. They’re providing an awesome service. They’re trying to keep themselves off welfare. I just don’t want to see these people penalized. If you could get a one-year permit for $10, I see that as a whole lot better than a $50 whack just trying to go to work for a few days,” she said.

Councilman Hatch said he felt one benefit of the permits is that if there is a problem with a product or service, there would be a way to contact that business. “It protects us as citizens,” said Hatch. A database could be created that could be accessed from the town website.

“Are we protecting the citizens with this or just causing people a lot of headache?” asked Mayor Fay Hatch.

Councilman Alan Ramage expressed concern about rumors surrounding the issue, explaining that he received a call from someone who complained that a wood cutter paid $150 to the town for a permit to sell wood at Bashas’, and the town refused to issue any other permits.

Duthie said that the property owner must give permission and that was more than likely business conducted with the property owner. The town doesn’t issue permits to sell wood at Bashas’.

“Make it fair and make it town known,” said Ramage.

“Make it clear,” said Councilman Hatch.

“If we had a business license, I could educate them before they opened their business,” said Johnson.

Hatch pointed out that previously the purpose was to identify what businesses are in town.

Duthie said that someone from the Snowflake-Taylor Chamber of Commerce called for a list of Taylor businesses, but there is no such list.

“It could be a nuisance, more bureaucracy,” said Palmer. “We don’t want the right people to not want to do business in Taylor.”

Solomon said he didn’t feel the benefit to the town was there.

“Remember what Jeff said, if everyone had a business license, they could be educated. Let’s make things simple,” said Hatch.

Hatch suggested amending the current code and Palmer asked if they could do that at this meeting.

Town Attorney Sterling Solomon explained that there is a lengthy process that must be followed to change codes.

Staff was asked to place this item on a future agenda for further discussion and council members would submit proposals.

“We’re trying to lessen the burden,” said Hatch, who challenged his fellow council members to get on the website and review the codes, then send their suggestions to the staff for consideration at a future meeting.