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Show Business License Hearing Slated for Tonight A proposed new business license ordinance and accompanying ac-companying revised fee schedule will be the subject f a public hearing before the City Council this Thursday. March 11 at 5 p.m. in the Memorial Building. The new ordinance specifically specifi-cally designed to generate approximately $300,000 annually an-nually w hich will go towards the operation of the City's transportation system. Last ear business license fees generated only $55,000 for the City and the transit system was largely funded by property taxes. City Manager Arlene Loble said the purpose of the new irdinance is to remove the financial burden of the system from the taxpayers and place it on those who derive the most benefit from the system. Under the proposed ordinance ordi-nance most retail businesses and professional services will be charged an annual licensing licens-ing fee based on the number of square feet in their retail or professional establishments. establish-ments. The amount each business will pay per foot is based on a multiplier which is tied to a survey that connects type of business with average lease costs throughout the western states. For instance, a bowling alley has low per foot lease costs so under Park City's new ordinance a similar business would pay 14 cents annually times the number of square feet in the establishment. establish-ment. On the otherhand, luggage and leather shops are' thought to pay lease costs which are substantially higher, so under the proposed propos-ed ordinance, shops of that nature would pay 76 cents limes the number of square feel occupied as an annual licensing fee. Other types of businesses fall somewhere in die middle. Additionally, ski resorts will pay an annual fee equal to their hourly uphill lift capacity capa-city limes $4, while nightly rentals like hotels and lodges will pay $15 times the number of rooms offered for rent. Timeshare operators will pay $150 times the number of rooms available. Timeshares are higher because be-cause they do not generate any sales tax or transient room tax when the units are rented. Electronic games, pinball and vending machines mach-ines will be licensed by the City under the ordinance at $25 annually per machine. Other commercial recreation facilities will pay $1 times the hourly capacity of the facility. Temporary business licenses licen-ses will be issued only to tradesmen who proposed to sell their wares or conduct their services within an existing enclosed building or shop space. Originally, it was proposed they pay $150 plus 2 percent of gross sales as their one time fee. However, that portion of the ordinance was reworked this week and now requires a temporary business to pay a license fee equal to that paid by a year round merchant. City Manager Arlene Loble said the measure was pro--' posed to protect local businesses busi-nesses and could serve to substantially reduce temporary tempo-rary sales in Park Citv. |