Business
license fees in Hyde Park won't increase
By Katy Jessen
December 10, 2004 | HYDE PARK -- The
City Council voted 3-2 not to increase business license
fees in Hyde Park after a previous public hearing and
a discussion.
Councilman Robert Balls, who has several businesses
in Hyde Park, said it is time the city gave respect
to the local businesses. He said he didn't think there
were any businesses that would raise a "stink" about
the increase, but said he just didn't think it was ethically
right.
The fees not paid by the businesses are paid by the
city, said Mayor David Kooyman. He said it is important
to be fair and equitable to the businesses as well as
the city.
"I appreciate the businesses we have and the revenues
from them," said Councilman James Skidmore. "Why raise
the fees if we don't have to?"
Councilman David Suisse said the current fees have
been in place for 30 years. He said an increase in the
fees would be the right thing to do.
After a 20-minute discussion, the motion to raise
the business fees was denied 3-2.
The Lion's Park's open house, which was held on Nov.
20, was a great success with 160 to 170 people showing
up for the occasion.
Councilman Charles Wheeler said the ground plans have
been completed, and his crew is ready to work with the
$151,000 budgeted for the park.
The accessory apartment ordinance was extended to
the next council meeting because the council is still
waiting on some information from a Relief Society president
in a ward of the LDS church to report her findings of
apartments out of compliance with the city's regulations.
The North Logan-Hyde Park boundary was passed unanimously
by the council. The businesses within the new boundary,
Advanced Restoration Systems and Mark's Auto Body, will
begin to pay their taxes to Hyde Park in 2005.
Mayor David Kooyman had to leave the council meeting
early, and while he was gone, Councilman Robert Balls
said the mayor deserved a raise from $200 to $300. The
$100 raise will be added to the agenda for the Dec.
22 meeting.
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