A proposed 10 per cent business license fee hike is now in effect in North Battleford.
Third and final reading of the bylaw to license and regulate businesses in North Battleford was passed at council Monday.
That bylaw amended the rate schedule to set the new license fees for a variety of different business categories. The increases average around $40, ranging from $2 annually on the low end to $105 annually at the upper end.
The new business license fees take effect immediately upon passage of the bylaw.
The 10 per cent hike comes about despite opposition from Councillor Trent Houk. He had proposed a five per cent increase at a previous meeting, citing the need to give local residents a break given the number of other fees that had been going up.
However, there was not been much opposition expressed to the 10 per cent increase since the bylaw was introduced. The only concern came in a letter from the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber president Sharon Mohagen described a 10 per cent increase as "more difficult to be supportive of, particularly in the context of many significant increases."
Despite that, third reading passed easily. Houk cast the lone "no" vote as the bylaw passed by a 6-1 margin.
Following the meeting, Mayor Ian Hamilton told reporters it was time to raise the fees. "We feel they are fair and comparable to other cities as they are presented," he said.
"It was time to look at them and keep them current so that we're not seeing maybe in two years time imposing a 25 per cent increase, which is then becoming unmanageable possibly in some cases."
