By By Adam Prestridge
Business license fees generated annually for cities across the nation, especially small towns such as Atmore, are filtered back into the community by way of services offered to residents.
City of Atmore Revenue Officer Mary Carter mailed out notices to local business owners in mid-December and fees are already being received.
According to Atmore City Clerk Becca Smith, $797,828 was generated in 2009 from business license fees. She added that this year’s revenue seems equivalent to that collected in years past.
Mayor Howard Shell said without business license fees it would be tough for budgeted services to operate at their current levels.
Shell praised the community for helping maintain the business license fee revenue.
In 2008, tax revenue for the city totaled $766,518, Smith said. She credits the $30,000 increase to changes to the city’s license renewal ordinance, including an increase in the issuing fee from $5 to $10.
As with most fees, business owners will face penalties if they do not pay their business license fee(s) by Jan. 31. A 15 percent penalty will be added to fees beginning Feb. 1 and a 30 percent penalty will be added beginning March 1.
If you have any questions regarding business license fees, contact city hall at 368-2253.