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Show Wednesday, September IB, 1974 PARK Page 3 CITY a similar to the original proposal but with the distinct difference of having a set maximum fee. Other alternatives receiving varying degrees of support were a straight doubling of the present rates and an employee tax. When asked if any merchants were in favor of maintaining the current method which, in effect, meant no raise in license fees, no one present responded favorably. The results of the nights discussion on business license fees will be taken under advisement by the City Council. It is expected that another proposal will be formulated which encompasses one, or a combination of more than one, of the alternative plans debated at the meeting. Approximately 30 citizens attended an open town meeting in City Hall on Thursday, September 12th, and the majority of those present came to express their dissatisfaction with the proposed business license fee schedule. Unfair Burden The central theme of the protest lodged by local merchants was that they were being asked to carry a disproportionate share of the citys financial burden and that the proposed rate structure could do more harm than good, both to businesses and to the city. Mr. George Polychronis of the Mount Air Market, who had studied schedules employed by other cities, said, We would prefer any of these over the one presented. Increased Public Services Councilman Jan Wilking told the audience that increased demands on public services have created a need for more revenue. Our feeling is that the best way to finance these services...is to pass the expense on to the tourists. He said that the new business license rates were an attempt to do this. Mr. Wilking also said that by formulating new rates, We are also trying to remove the inequities in business licenses. New Schedule The proposed method of assessing the amount of money to be paid for a business is based on the gross receipts of any particular business. The merchants were of the opinion that such a structure would punish the businesses which have a high gross income but operate on a low profit margin. This view received support from the Council members attending the meeting. Alternatives Four alternative methods of determining business license fees were offered for an informal vote. The method which received the most support was a schedule Mayor Price said This seemingly privileged status which has been accorded the mining company was attacked by both private citizens and Council members. City Manager Wayne Mathews related that he would contact Park City Ventures and gain Yf FOR FINE JEWELRY ust rings; REASONABLY PHlCtD HANDOHAFIED RINOS falling. Several merchants present remarked that they time period thought the was too long and that perhaps a limit would be more ef- fective. Mr. Dale Nelson brought up the possibility of installing water meters on nightly rental units which are utilized for only a few months of the year. lie felt this could alleviate what he termed to be an inequity in water billing. stones us Condominiums Raw Land Residential Commercial HAL TAYLOR ASSOCIATES P.O. Box 804 PARK CITY, UTAH 84060 PHONE (801) 649-818- 1 (801)649-811- 1 Chevron ' gold silver and semi-precio- Ileal Estate assurance that the road problems would be remedied. 12-ho- ur WW (COW that negotiations are underway and that Park City Ventures is being treated similar to a public utility. 24-ho- ur UPPER MAIN STREET IPMDt Slime Line Mr. Bruce Barnes addressed Mayra: John Price, who presided over the meeting, on the matter of the slime line which is being laid by the Park City Ventures Company. Mr. Barnes noted that part of the Ontario roadway where the line has been buried is sinking and that boulders are strewn about. He also asked if the mining company had been issued a permit to conduct work on the line and was informed that no permit has yet been granted. Other Matters Other matters considered at the open meeting included a new ' snow removal ordinance which would require Main Street sidewalks to be cleared within 24 hours after snow has stopped NOW OPEN INVEST IN NEW LOCATION ON MAIN STREET DOITT Pollute Vi PLANTS POTS & THINGS Planting Design Service Available ' i FARK CITY |