The City of Blue Ridge met Tuesday, September 1, for a workshop to discuss items that were voted on during their regular meeting Tuesday, September 8.
After Councilman Mike Panter gave an update on the Occupational Tax Certificate Amendment, downtown business owner Cesar Martinez chimed in on the proposed changes.
“I have no issue with the fines and when you do them and all of that kind of stuff,” he said. “My biggest issue right now is when you start out at $250, you’re doubling my license.”
Other businesses licenses will be tripled as a result, he added.
“I’m probably better off than a lot of them. I can pay it. I just don’t like the fact that all of a sudden you’re doubling my license,” he said.
Prior to Martinez’s statements, Panter stated that, due to state laws, they are not able to proceed with some of their original plans, which involves a proposed $50 late fee.
To comply with state laws, the late fee has to be 10% of the cost of the license and an additional 1% for every month it is delinquent.
Additionally, the city is able to fine businesses $500 for not paying fees.
The fees would be due January 1 and will be late January 15. Businesses will be fined April 1 if not paid, and water will be cut off July 1.
Panter suggested charging a $250 yearly fee for businesses with 20 employees or less, $350 for businesses with 21 to 50 employees, $500 for businesses with 51 to 100 employees and any business that has over 101 employees would be $750.
Panter and Councilman Nathan Fitts explained that their businesses will also be affected by the change.
“I agree totally,” Panter said to Martinez. “Same thing with me, but I’m going from 50 to 250, but just like we’ll discuss a little bit later, our health insurance rates have went up 12%.”
Councilwoman Rhonda Haight added that the city’s licenses have been “under priced” when making comparisons across the state.
Martinez asked what the businesses can expect of the city with an increase in business licensing, to which Panter said increased fire protection would be the main benefit.
“Here’s the deal,” Fitts said. “It’s $250, Cesar. The way I look at it is if $250 is that big of an issue to a business, maybe they need to reconsider their financials... It affects me the same way it does you. ... I’m not gonna complain about it because I know the city needs the revenue. That’s what’s fair, and it is what it is.”
An update on delinquent taxes was also given by Panter, and he said the final notice was sent out the week of August 24.
Last year, in August, the city collected $3,900 worth of taxes, and this August, $10,000 was collected.
There is still $210,000 to be collected. September 15 is the deadline to pay, and Fi. Fa.s will be sent out October 1.
In May of this year, there was $362,000 worth of delinquent taxes to be paid.
Mayor Donna Whitener and Fitts said they thought the city’s properties had been under assessed, which the county performs.
“Nothing against any of them up there, but none of them have any experience in real estate, and none have been appraisers, and some days, I’ll see them, and I think Rhonda will agree, I’m looking at them like, ‘Whoever did this has no idea what they’re doing because this is not what the fair market value is,’ and you look and start seeing who’s kin to who, and you know, then you start figuring stuff out,” Fitts said.
Speeding on Church Street and East Main Street was also discussed.
The city has received numerous complaints regarding speeding on these streets, and Chief of Police Johnny Scearce recommended placing speed breakers along the roads as well as a sign that show the speed at which travelers are moving.
The speed signs would also record each vehicles speed, time, and will capture a photo of the tag.