Skip to content

Town business licenses stay at 2017 levels

Stettler council also keeps ‘business tax’ fee at same level
9714940_web1_171108-STI-M-Stettler-Town-Council-CYMK

By Stu Salkeld The Stettler Independent

The Town of Stettler council decided to keep business license fees, and related professional fees, at the same level as last year during their regular meeting Nov.20. All councilors were present for the meeting.

Assistant CAO Steven Gerletz presented councilors with a memo regarding business licenses for the upcoming year. “The last change to the Business License Bylaw 1807-99 was in November 2013, which increased the business license fees from $325.00 to $350.00 for ‘non-resident’ and from $125.00 to $150.00 for ‘resident’ businesses,” stated Gerletz’ report.

“In reviewing the Business License Bylaw 1807-99 our existing rates for ‘resident’ businesses and ‘non-resident’ businesses were compared to those of other municipalities in Alberta,” the report stated. Gerletz noted, compared to nearby municipalities, the Town of Stettler is slightly higher but not noticeably so.

CAO Greg Switenky noted the last business license increase was in 2014, relatively recently. He also noted that there were certain businesses in town that could not be charged business license fees, mostly professions, and that councilors would discuss a fee for those business that was similar in nature to licensing later in the meeting.

It was also noted during discussion business license revenue helps support the Board of Trade operations.

Gerletz presented a recommendation that town council set the 2018 Business License fees as the same rate as 2017, $150.00 for a Resident License and $350.00 for a Non-Resident License. Councilors approved the recommendation.

Later in the meeting councilors discussed the “business tax fee,” basically a business license for business that cannot be charged for a business license. It was noted in the agenda item this applies to 43 businesses in Stettler amounting to $6,450.

“Each year Town of Stettler Council sets the Business Tax Fees for the upcoming year; administration has conducted a review of our existing Business Taxes and the Business Tax Bylaw 2087-16,” stated the agenda item.

“The last change to the Business Tax Bylaw was in November 2013, which increased the business tax fees from $125.00 to $150.00 for business tax rolls. “Recommendation That Town Council set the 2018 Business Tax fees as the same rate as 2017, $150.00 per applicant.”

Switenky noted the revenue goes to the Board of Trade. Councilors approved the request.

editor@stettlerindependent.com