Some Sooke businesses donB次元官网网址檛 need to pay for this yearB次元官网网址檚 business licence after district council approved a freeze on annual fees.

The decision affects 185 businesses that have not paid their 2021 business licence fees. In many cases, itB次元官网网址檚 the result of ongoing struggles many merchants face due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Maja Tait said she struggled with whether the decision is fair to the many businesses that pay their business licences on time and annually.

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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not ideal, but we need to start somewhere. And we also need to consider staff resourcing and availability - do we pay more in staff time to chase down every single fee, or do we find other ways to get on with it,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e (the council) trying to make the best of a non-ideal situation.B次元官网网址�

According to a municipal staff report, there are 740 licenced businesses in Sooke. The waiving of fees will cost the district more than $30,000.

B次元官网网址淚t should be noted, however, that many of these businesses are likely no longer operating, and this outstanding balance is therefore significantly inaccurate,B次元官网网址� the report stated. Eighty-five of the businesses have remained in arrears for more than two years and may no longer be in business.

Carolyn Mushata, the districtB次元官网网址檚 corporate officer, told council May 10 that some businesses have indicated a willingness to pay their account balances in instalments, the business licence bylaw does not allow for this option, and municipal staff believe the resources expended in collecting the debts would not be a good use of resources.

Businesses pay licence fees between $50 and $250 annually.

The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce is applauding council for the waiving of business fees.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 fantastic news,B次元官网网址� Britt Santowski, the chamberB次元官网网址檚 executive director, said.

B次元官网网址淚f it keeps a business in operation, itB次元官网网址檚 a good thing.B次元官网网址�

editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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